Saint Amaro or Amarus the Pilgrim was an abbot who it was claimed sailed across the ocean in search of Paradise. There are two historical figures who may have provided the basis for his story.
The first was a French penitent of the same name who went on a pilgrimage to Santiago da Compostella in the thirteenth century. On his return journey, he established himself at Burgos where he founded a hospital for lepers.
Saint Amaro has also been identified with Sait Marius, disciple of Saint Benedict, who founded the first Benedict Monastery in France.
