Santiago de Compostela

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Santiago de Compostela Travel Guide

Travel Author

Stig Albeck

City Map

City Introduction

Santiago de Compostela is a city in northwestern Spain. It is the capital of the region of Galicia and world-renowned for being the final resting place of James, one of Jesus’ disciples. The early history of the city began with the settlement of the Swabians in the 4th century. The place came under changing dominions, and for centuries the city was attacked by Moors, Vikings and others, before it was fortified in the 11th century and gained the status of Galician capital. Even then, Santiago de Compostela was known for the relics of James, and the city developed into an increasingly important pilgrimage site.

Today, Praza do Obradoiro is the center of Santiago de Compostela’s old town. It is a square where there are four significant buildings worth noticing. To the west is the Pazo de Raxoi, completed in 1766, which houses the city government and the regional administration. To the south is the Colexio de San Xerome from the 17th century, which is seat for part of the city’s university, and to the north you can see the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, which was built as a pilgrim hostel in the years 1501-1511. After being a hostel for over 400 years, the building was converted into a hotel at the behest of Francisco Franco, which it still is.

The largest and best-known structure around Praza do Obradoiro is the famous cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, which is to the east. The mighty cathedral was built over what was believed to be the tomb of James the Elder. The construction lasted from 1078 to 1211 with later reconstructions, and already from the Middle Ages the church was a major place of pilgrimage. The cathedral is then also a representative example of Romanesque church buildings that were built because of the importance of relics with associated pilgrimage activities, which still exist with the Camino de Santiago leading to Santiago de Compostela. On the cathedral you can notice the beautiful baroque facade, which was built 1738-1750 in the local Churriguerra style.

There is a cathedral museum next to Santiago de Compostela’s cathedral, and in the city, you can also explore contemporary art at the Centro Galego de Arte Contemporánea, housed in an interesting modern building. During a visit, you should also take a stroll in the cozy streets of the old town. It is an area included on UNESCO’s list of world cultural heritage, and it is a beautiful area that you can experience when walking the streets. You can visit the monastery Mosteiro de San Martiño Pinario with a beautiful church, and immediately outside the old town stands the church Igrexa de Santa María a Real do Sar from the 12th century. In the same direction is the Cidade da Cultura de Galicia, a distinctive cultural city that forms something like soft hills in the landscape.

Other Attractions

Day Trips

A Coruña, Spain

A Coruña

A Coruña is a city in the northwestern region of Galicia, and it is a city that is also known by its Spanish name, La Coruña. The city has a large natural harbor, which was used by Phoenicians, Celts and Romans throughout history. The city was called Ardobicum Corunium, and it was for a time the capital of the kingdom of the Swabians. In the 1300s and 1400s, A Coruña flourished as a port for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, and in 1589 England attacked the city under the leadership of Sir Francis Drake. The city did not fall, and on that occasion María Pita became a heroine. Later, the Battle of A Coruña took place in the area in 1809 during the Spanish War of Independence.

More about A Coruña

 

Vigo, Spain

Vigo

Vigo is a large city in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia. However, it was considered a small village for a long time, and a town developed from the 15th century. Throughout the 1500s and 1600s, the city was attacked from the seaside several times, and in both 1585 and 1589 the English, led by Sir Francis Drake, set fire to parts of Vigo. Turks also attacked, and in the mid-17th century walls and forts were built to defend the city. Throughout the 20th century, Vigo grew rapidly, which i.a. happened through the establishment of a tax-free zone in 1947.

More about Vigo

Geolocation

In short

Santiago de Compostela, Spain Santiago de Compostela, Spain[/caption]

Overview of Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a city in northwestern Spain. It is the capital of the region of Galicia and world-renowned for being the final resting place of James, one of Jesus’ disciples. The early history of the city began with the settlement of the Swabians in the 4th century. The place came under changing dominions, and for centuries the city was attacked by Moors, Vikings and others, before it was fortified in the 11th century and gained the status of Galician capital. Even then, Santiago de Compostela was known for the relics of James, and the city developed into an increasingly important pilgrimage site.

Today, Praza do Obradoiro is the center of the old town. It is a square where there are four significant buildings worth noticing. To the west is the Pazo de Raxoi, completed in 1766, which houses the city government and the regional administration. To the south is the Colexio de San Xerome from the 17th century, which is seat for part of the city’s university, and to the north you can see the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, which was built as a pilgrim hostel in the years 1501-1511. After being a hostel for over 400 years, the building was converted into a hotel at the behest of Francisco Franco, which it still is.

The largest and best-known structure around Praza do Obradoiro is the famous cathedral of the city, which is to the east. The mighty cathedral was built over what was believed to be the tomb of James the Elder. The construction lasted from 1078 to 1211 with later reconstructions, and already from the Middle Ages the church was a major place of pilgrimage. The cathedral is then also a representative example of Romanesque church buildings that were built because of the importance of relics with associated pilgrimage activities, which still exist with the Camino de Santiago leading to Santiago de Compostela. On the cathedral you can notice the beautiful baroque facade, which was built 1738-1750 in the local Churriguerra style.

About the Santiago de Compostela travel guide

Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
Published: Released soon
Author: Stig Albeck
Publisher: Vamados.com
Language: English

About the travel guide

The Santiago de Compostela travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the Spanish city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.

Santiago de Compostela is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.

Read more about Santiago de Compostela and the Spain

Spain Travel Guide: https://vamados.com/spain
City tourism: https://visitsan-tagiodecompostela.es
Main Page: https://www.vamados.com/

Buy the travel guide

Click the “Add to Cart” button to purchase the travel guide. After that you will come to the payment, where you enter the purchase and payment information. Upon payment of the travel guide, you will immediately receive a receipt with a link to download your purchase. You can download the travel guide immediately or use the download link in the email later.

Use the travel guide

When you buy the travel guide to Santiago de Compostela you get the book online so you can have it on your phone, tablet or computer – and of course you can choose to print it. Use the maps and tour suggestions and you will have a good and content-rich journey.

Travel Expert

Stig Albeck

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