Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
Info, Tours & Tickets
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is one of Spain’s most visited tourist sites, and once you have visited this extraordinary historic site you will understand why.
The beauty of its architecture is undeniable as it sits divinely within the region of Galicia in northwestern Spain. It is clear why this architectural marvel continues to draw thousands and thousands of visitors worldwide.
Besides being one of Spain’s most important religious structures, it is also surrounded by several remarkable and historic buildings like the Gelmirez Palace, Rajoy Palace, Catholic Kings Hostal, and San Jeronimo College.
The History of the Cathedral
Construction of the great Santiago de Compostela Cathedral began in the 11th century when Alfonso VI was King of Spain. It was constructed under the supervision of Bishop Diego Peláez.
The Cathedral was constructed on the grounds of a former church dedicated to the great St James, or Saint Santiago, as the Spaniards call him.
At the beginning of the 12th century, the great architect Esteban constructed three naves that form a large Latin cross.
The Cathedral is also one of the only three remaining churches built over the burial chamber of an apostle of Jesus. The other two are St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica in Chennai, India, and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
It was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1985.
Mass & Confessions
Confessions are available during the morning and afternoon at the Cathedral.
If priests are unavailable in the confession booth or need to confess in your language, you can request it at the vestry room.
Currently, the Church is undergoing massive renovations, and as such, pilgrims have to attend the mass that takes place in other churches around the town.
The Thurible
As it is called in the Galician language, censer, or the thurible, is an iconic symbol of the Santiago de Compostela’s Cathedral.
This large censer is hung using a pulleys system from the central cupola of the Cathedral, and it swings majestically through the central nave.
The censer weighs about 53 Kilograms and takes almost a dozen men to move it. It is 1.5 meters in height which makes it one of the world’s largest thuribles.
It measures almost 20 meters in length when it dangles from the central cupola.
The Great Cathedral Doors
The Porta Sancta, or the Holy Door, was constructed in the 1700s. it is also known as the Door of Forgiveness.
You can find the Porta Sancta in the Praza Da Quintana, going through the door leads to the Saint James crypt and the Cathedral’s Main Altar.
There is also a picture of St James for pilgrims to hug as part of the pilgrimage tradition.
Designed in the 1300s by the skilled Mestre Mateo, the Pórtico of Glory is a Roman-style splendid structure that shows off more than 200 granite bible personalities throughout three grand archways inside the western side of the glorious Cathedral.
The archway depicts the great Saint James is at the central, ushering in new pilgrims or visitors to the magnificent Cathedral.
There are different themes depicted in the archways. These themes include the end of days, the Day of Judgment, the noble prophets, and the saints.
St James Tomb
Many believe that the Cathedral site is the final resting place of the Great Saint James, a disciple of Jesus Christ.
The remains of Saint James and two of his disciples, Saint Athanasius and Saint Theodore, are preserved in a silver jar in the catacomb beneath the Main Altar.
These artifacts of St. James have transformed Santiago De Compostela’s independent old town into a crucial destination for pilgrims globally.
Cathedral and Museum Guided Tour
