This is an intimate little church with a courtyard that has something to see - all around are over 300 stone slabs from medieval gremios or guilds, from XIV to XVI centuries. One can spend some time studying the symbols for tailors, leather-workers, and more. The church itself dates from 1327 when it was consecrated by Archbishop Berenguel and is set on the Quintana dos Mortos (square of the dead), with earth supposedly brought from Palestine (there are many such legends in Galicia - this might be true). The style is Romanesque.

Noia itself has the legendary origin of having found named for a granddaughter of Noah’s son Jafet. Pliny describes the fortress of Noela, which may have been the source of this legend. There were Celtic settlements in the area of Noia.

Youtube has this video in Spanish, which explains the guilds as represented on the granite slabs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYKLE3YXxFM