Tours · Santiago de Compostela · Cathedral
Catedral de Santiago
The great cathedral built over the tomb of Saint James the Apostle, goal of the Camino, a Romanesque church behind a soaring Baroque facade, famous for its giant swinging incense burner.
Sobre este lugar
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is the spiritual climax of the whole city and of the Camino, built over what is believed to be the tomb of Saint James the Great, one of the twelve apostles of Christ. According to tradition, his remains were discovered here in the ninth century, and the shrine that grew up around them drew pilgrims from across Europe, making Santiago one of the three holiest cities in Christendom. The cathedral is at heart a magnificent Romanesque church of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, entered through the sublime Pórtico da Gloria, a masterpiece of carved stone by Master Mateo. Its famous Baroque facade on the Obradoiro was added later to protect and glorify it. Within, pilgrims descend to the apostle's tomb and embrace his statue above the altar. On great occasions the cathedral swings the Botafumeiro, a huge silver incense burner, in a breathtaking arc through the transept.
Datos clave
- 1211 year — The Romanesque cathedral was consecrated, built over the apostle's tomb
- 1 tomb — It holds the tomb of Saint James, drawing pilgrims for over a thousand years
- 80 kg — The great Botafumeiro incense burner weighs around 80 kilograms
📍 Praza do Obradoiro, 15705, Santiago de Compostela