What to see in Santiago de Compostela, history of the journey towards the cathedral, a pilgrimage destination for centuries to pay homage to the relics of Saint James.
Tourist information
Capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Santiago de Compostela is a famous city because in its beautiful Cathedral the mortal remains of James, son of Zebedee and apostle of Jesus are preserved.
The apostle James evangelized the Iberian peninsula before returning to Palestine and suffering the beheading wanted by King Herod Agrippa.
According to tradition, his disciples brought the apostle's body to the lands where he had preached and buried it in Galicia.
The traces of the tomb were lost, until in the year 813 a hermit named Pelayo saw particular lights in the shape of a star on a hill, an event that led to the discovery of the tomb.
Bishop Teodomiro confirmed its discovery and Alfonso II, king of Asturias and Galicia, had a small church built in that place which became the destination of the first pilgrimages.
In 1075 the construction of the large Romanesque cathedral began, completed in the thirteenth century and consecrated in 1211.
Subsequent changes were made between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries.
Since the Middle Ages, pilgrims have come to this majestic sanctuary to pay homage to the tomb of St. James the Apostle, following a long, well-marked route through France and Spain, during which there are accommodation and reception facilities.
The various walkable roads have been declared by the Council of Europe as a European cultural itinerary and by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Thousands of pilgrims come here to live an intense experience of prayer and reflection on life.
Recommended readings- Spain: travel story between Toledo, Andalusia and Madrid
- Barcelona (Spain): what to see in the capital of Catalonia
- Puerto de la Cruz (Tenerife): what to see
- Balearic Islands (Spain): useful information
- Formentera (Spain): what to see on the Balearic island
What see
From a tourist point of view, the characteristic buildings with golden colors deserve attention, the picturesque medieval streets made of pebbles and pebbles, the large squares present, including Praza do Obradoiro, with the Apostol's Cathedral, and Praza de Praterias, deserves to be mentioned. with the magnificent Fonte de los Caballos.
There is no shortage of museums rich in art history, a beautiful town hall and Palazzo de Raxoi.
