Santiago de Compostela highlights

Santiago de Compostela is the capital of northwest Spain’s Galicia region. The city is known for being the culmination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, the five-hundred-year-old University of Santiago, its gastronomy and festivals. Santiago de Compostela was born from a legend: the discovery in 813 A.D. of the sepulchre of St. James the Apostle who was beheaded in 44 A.D. in Palestine. King Alfonso II visited the site and ordered a modest temple and monastery to be built, erecting the center around which the city later grew. 

The layout of Santiago de Compostela is that of the typical walled medieval city. Born of and for the cathedral, the city radiates out from this building, running along a north-south axis, the only possible line along which it could develop because of the nature of the terrain. The main streets of the old quarter, the Rúa do Franco, the Rúa do Vilar and the Rúa Nova, are centered around this axis. The wall survived until the end of last century, and although it was later torn down, the city which it encircled remained. Narrow streets, alleyways, squares and half-squares reveal stunning views such as the squares of La Quintana, la Inmaculada and San Martín. It is a city of stone, a city to be walked in and discovered. Santiago is still surrounded by orchards.

Some of Santiago highlights are:

• The Square of El Obradoiro. This impressive square opens out in an enormous, almost moving sweep, comprising magnificent buildings which represent a thousand years of history and architecture: the College of San Jerónimo, the Antiguo Hospital Real (Royal Hospital), the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos or the Gelmírez Palace.
• The Cathedral has been the key to the city's identity for centuries. Altough the exterior has undergone successive renovation works, the interior has basically been preserved intact. Via the Obradoiro Facade we enter the Portico de la Gloria (Gateway to Glory). Through the Portico de la Gloria we gain access to the inside of the cathedral, the jewel in the crown of Romanesque architecture. The transept nave is undoubtedly the most solemn spot in the cathedral. The lantern is Gothic with Baroque detail. From this point hangs the Botafumeiro, the enormous censer which swings spectacularly from one of the nave to the other during days of solemn celebration. The Baroque altar of the Main Chapel rises above the crypt which contains the remains of St. James te Apostle.
• The Squares of Platerías, La Quintana and La Azabachería. The characteristic squares which surround the cathedral to the south, west and north play an important role in the medieval design of Santiago de Compostela. Don't miss out: the clock tower, Puerta Real (Royal Gate) and the Puerta Santa (Holy Gate), the Convent of San Paio, the church of San Paio and the Azabachería Gate.
• The monasteries. Some superb buildings reveal the importance of the religious orders to the history of Santiago. Along with the Convents of San Paio and San Francisco and the impressive Monastery of San Martiño, this itinerary includes other more modest buildings which are, nevertheless, very rich in artistic terms.
• The 'Rúas' (the 'Streets'). Although the buildings came later, the lay-out for the Rúas Franco, Vilar and Nova date back to the 12th century. The streets were originally completely flanked by colonnades but, as a result of their vulnerability to fires, they were partially destroyed. Santiago displays the full force of its charm in these streets.
• Convent of Santa Clara and Santo Domingo. The most unique aspect of Santa Clara's convent is the facade of the porter's lodge which was built in 1719. The convent of Santo Domingo houses the Museum of the Galician People and the Pantheon of Gallegos Ilustres, which contains, among others, Rosalia de Castro and Alfonso Rodríguez Castelao, the two leading figures of Galician literature. 

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