The apostle Saint James: the patron of Spain
Saint James has been the official patron of Spain since the 17th century. However, his patronage was not always unique, and it was a source of dispute between the religious order of the Carmelites and the nobility.
The Way to the Portal of Glory: The Christian Meaning of the Jacobean Pilgrimage
For many centuries pilgrims set out on the Way of Saint James in search of meaning in their lives. An answer to the questions that everyone asks themselves at some point in their lives: What is the deepest meaning of my existence? What or who can
The origins of Saint James as the Apostle of Christ
The Way of Saint James, as its name suggests, is the route that takes us, from wherever we are or wherever we start the Way to the tomb of the apostle James, one of the first disciples of Jesus of Nazareth.
Recipe: Santiago’s Cake
Among the typical sweets of Galician gastronomy, specifically, that of A Coruña, Santiago's cake stands out. When the pilgrim finishes the Pilgrim's Way, eating a slice of Santiago's cake is the best celebration.
The Portal of Glory
At the west entrance to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, behind the Obradoiro façade, is the Portal of Glory. This work by Master Mateo is considered to be the pinnacle of Romanesque sculpture. Its construction lasted twenty years and was completed in 1188.
The Clock Tower
The Clock Tower of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral dates back to 1316. Initially, Bishop Diego de Padrón ordered its construction as a defence tower for the Cathedral. Its construction was completed under the mandate of the French archbishop Berenguer Landoira.
The Holy Door
The Holy Door is located in the square of Quintana, on the east side of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Access to the temple through this entrance is reserved for Holy Years. An event that occurs every time the 25th of July, the Day of
The Façade and Obradoiro Square
En 1660, la Catedral románica sufrió su mayor transformación estética. Los peregrinos traían a través del camino de Santiago nuevas corrientes artísticas en auge en Europa. Es por ello por lo que en este momento se decide adornar la Catedral en estilo barroco y construir la
History of the Botafumeiro: The Cathedral’s purifier
The Botafumeiro is one of the most recognised symbols of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. In Galician it literally means "smoke spreader". It is a censer that burns a mixture of charcoal and incense inside. It is the largest in the world and is believed
The High Altar of Santiago Cathedral
The High Altar is one of the most important spaces in the Cathedral of Santiago. In the crypt, under the altar, are the remains of the Apostle Saint James, discovered by Bishop Teodomiro between 820-830.
