What to see in Santiago de Compostela

Camino Santiago Pilgrims

Santiago de Compostela is, along with Rome and Jerusalem, one of the holy cities of Christianity. When in the XNUMXth century the discovery of the tomb of Santiago Apóstol was reported in the West, the flow of pilgrims skyrocketed and since then has never stopped, although the Jacobean route has experienced periods of greater and less splendor. In this way, the Galician city became a great cultural, religious and economic center whose manifestations in architecture, gastronomy and history persist to this day. Discover what to see in Santiago de Compostela!

Old City

Santiago de Compostela

Being the Cathedral the epicenter of Santiago de Compostela, around it was developed the historic center of the city whose beauty and historical importance was recognized by UNESCO when it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1985.

The Old City gathers most of the monuments of interest to see in Satiago de Compostela. Despite being razed in the XNUMXth century by the Muslims, during the following century it was rebuilt. With its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings, the Old City of Santiago is one of the most beautiful urban areas in Spain.

The oldest monuments are grouped around the tomb of Santiago and the Cathedral, which has the Pórtico de la Gloria, a culminating work of Romanesque sculpture. These monuments blend harmoniously in such iconic places as the Platería, Quintana and Abastos squares, Obradoiro, the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos, the San Jerónimo school, the Rajoy Palace, the San Francisco convent, the San Francisco monastery. Martín Pinario and many others.

Cathedral of Santiago

Santiago de Compostela

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is the most outstanding work of Romanesque art in Spain. In addition, it is the final goal of the Camino de Santiago that for centuries has led the pilgrims of Christendom to the tomb of Santiago Apóstol.

The most remote antecedent of the Cathedral was a small Roman mausoleum from the 44st century in which the remains of the Apostle James were buried after his beheading in Palestine (AD 1075). The construction of the great Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela must have begun around the year XNUMX, promoted by Bishop Diego Peláez and directed by Maestro Esteban.

It can be said that most of the Cathedral was built around 1122. The baroque airs of the XNUMXth century externally distorted the original Romanesque style. The façade of the Azabachería was replaced and the great western façade was covered with that of the Obradoiro.

When crossing the famous Pórtico de la Gloria we come across the mythical Botafumeiro, the wonderful chapels and towers, the cathedral treasure and the sepulchral crypt where the urn with the remains of the Apostle Santiago is found.

Pilgrimage Museum

Image | Museums of Galicia - Xunta de Galicia

Located in the Plaza de las Platerías, The Museum of the Pilgrimages of Santiago de Compostela tries to show this universal phenomenon and the cultural references it has produced in fields as varied as historical, architectural, artistic, anthropological, medical, botanical, etc.

Food Market

Image | Santiago Tourism

After the Cathedral, the second most visited place in Santiago de Compostela by tourists is the Mercado de Abastos, built in 1873 on Rúa Ameás. Here you can find rows of stalls that offer products of all kinds: vegetables, meats, fish, flowers, cheeses, perfumes ... Visiting it is a good opportunity to get to know the local product, to try it and to take home the odd souvenir.

CGAC

Image | Ser string

Next to the Santo Domingo de Bonaval Convent and on the edge of the Old City are the CGAC, the Galician Center for Contemporary Art. Modern art lovers should include a visit to this museum to learn about the latest trends in the art world. through the works of artists who, in recent decades, have had great international recognition. The building that houses the museum was built in the 90s and was the work of the Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza.

The Alameda

Image | Santiago Tourism

From the Parque de La Alameda you have spectacular views of Santiago de Compostela, especially the west, so it is not surprising that it is very visited by tourists and residents at any time of the day. This green space is divided into three areas: the Paseo de la Herradura, the Paseo de la Alameda and the Santa Susana oak grove. Throughout the park you can discover the statue of the famous Spanish writer Don Ramón María del Valle-Inclán, the monument to the two Marías or the Santa Susana chapel.

Convent of San Francisco

Image | Santiago Tourism

According to tradition, the convent of San Francisco was founded by San Francisco de Asís himself. The origin of its monumental complex dates back to the year 1214 and Inside is the Museum of the Holy Land, in which more than 700 pieces from Jerusalem are exhibited.

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario

Image | Wikipedia

A few meters from the convent of San Francisco is located the Monastery of San Martín Pinario, in whose facilities the current Diocesan Major Seminary, the School of Social Work (USC), the Compostela Theological Institute, the university residence and the Diocesan Archive are located. In the surroundings, in Plaza de San Martiño nº 4, you can visit the Museum and Church of San Martín Pinario.

Quintana Square

Image | Pixabay

The square is divided into two heights separated by a staircase. The lower part is known as the Quintana de los Muertos because the old cemetery was located here until 1780, when it was moved to San Domingos de Bonaval. The upper part, on the other hand, is known as Quintana de Vivos. In this square of Santiago de Compostela is the monastery of San Praio Antealtares, its church and a museum of sacred art.


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