With its twin Baroque towers soaring high over the Praza do Obradoiro, this monument to St James is a majestic sight, as befits the finishing line of the Camino de Santiago.
t Bringing down the botafumeiro, during a service in the cathedral
Experience Galicia
t Santiago Cathedral, with its twin towers
Constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries, the cathedral stands on the site of a 9th-century basilica built by Alfonso II. The resulting melting pot of architectural styles only serves to remind visitors of this building’s status as one of the greatest shrines in Christendom. As you walk through the famous Pórtico da Gloria, you’ll be greeted by the same interior that met pilgrims in medieval times.
Did You Know?
The scallop shells marking the Camino symbolize the fact that St James was once a fisherman.
Hidden Gem
Go Goya
Head on up to the third floor of the Santiago Cathedral Museum to find their impressive textile arts collection, including tapestries by one of Spain’s most famous artists, Francisco de Goya.