Tours · Santiago de Compostela · Historic Hotel
Hostal dos Reis Católicos
A magnificent former royal hospital for pilgrims, founded in 1499 by Ferdinand and Isabella, with a superb Plateresque doorway, now a luxurious parador that claims to be the oldest hotel in the world.
Sobre este lugar
The Hostal dos Reis Católicos, closing the northern side of the Praza do Obradoiro, is one of the most splendid buildings in Santiago. It was founded in 1499 by the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, who visited the city as pilgrims and were dismayed by the plight of the sick and exhausted travellers arriving with nowhere to stay. They ordered the building of a Royal Hospital to shelter and care for the pilgrims of the Camino, and for this reason it is often described as the oldest hotel, or at least the oldest institution of pilgrim hospitality, still operating in the world. Its magnificent facade centres on an intricately carved Plateresque doorway, as fine as silverwork, and within lie four beautiful cloistered courtyards. Today it is a luxurious parador, a state-run historic hotel, but it keeps faith with its origins by offering free meals each day to a small number of pilgrims who have completed the Camino.
Datos clave
- 1499 year — Founded by Ferdinand and Isabella as a royal hospital for pilgrims
- 1 doorway — A superbly carved Plateresque doorway centres its facade
- 10 pilgrims — A number of pilgrims are still offered free meals here each day by tradition
📍 Praza do Obradoiro 1, 15705, Santiago de Compostela