[4][5] Fontelo became a centre of the Knights Hospitaller by donation of Veraca Sanches, daughter of Sancho I of Portugal, which helped resettlement of the community.

During the donatorio period, the primary benefactors were the Coutinho family, rich nobles who were alcaides of Lamego and Trancoso, and who later became Counts of Marialva.

[4][5] Legend recounts that King Afonso V visited the ancient chapel of São Domingos with Queen Elizabeth of Portugal in 1454, on his journey to battle in Toro.

[5] Another visit was made a few years later by his son John II and Queen Leonor, to request divine intervention in order for the couple to conceive an heir to the throne.

[5] They returned in 1483, with their son, the Infante Afonso (born on 18 May 1475) and thereafter couples that wished to conceive used to sleep on the pedra propiciatória (favourable stone), also the fraga da fertilidade (boulder of fertility), located outside the door leading to the sacristy of the chapel.