Spain Santiago de Compostela Galicia Cathedral

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela

About

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is the spiritual heart of Galicia and the final destination of the historic Camino de Santiago. Rising above Praza do Obradoiro, the cathedral blends Romanesque foundations with later Gothic and Baroque additions, creating one of Europe’s most iconic sacred monuments. Its construction began in the eleventh century to house the reputed tomb of the Apostle James, transforming the city into one of the great pilgrimage centres of the medieval world. Inside, visitors encounter soaring stone arcades, the celebrated Pórtico da Gloria and the silver‑clad main altar that frames the apostle’s shrine. The cathedral remains an active place of worship, known for the solemn Pilgrim’s Mass and the spectacular Botafumeiro, a giant censer that swings across the transept on special occasions. As both a masterpiece of architecture and a symbol of centuries‑old devotion, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela continues to inspire pilgrims and travellers from around the world.

Santiago de Compostela Spain

Location

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is located in the heart of the city’s historic old town, centred on Praza do Obradoiro, in the UNESCO World Heritage centre of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain, where the main routes of the Camino de Santiago converge. It stands on the western edge of the old town, forming the focal point of the city with its main façade facing the vast Praza do Obradoiro, flanked by the Pazo de Raxoi (city hall), the Hostal dos Reis Católicos (Parador), and the university’s Colexio de Fonseca. Directly around the cathedral are the Praza das Praterías to the south, the Praza da Inmaculada to the north, and the Praza da Quintana to the east, all filled with historic buildings, cafés, and tapas bars. Nearby, visitors can easily reach the Museo de las Peregrinaciones, the cathedral museum and cloisters, the Pazo de Xelmírez (bishop’s palace), the Mercado de Abastos food market, Rúa Nova, Rúa do Franco, and the main shopping and dining streets of the compact old town, all within a few minutes’ walk of the cathedral’s main entrance.