What to see in Santiago de Compostela, Spain | Santiago de Compostela travel guides

hostal dos reis catã³licos (catholic kings hostal)

Originally it was a hospital built after the visit of the catholic Kings to Santiago in 1486, to attend the pilgrims. With the years, the Catholic Kings ordered the built of a big hostel with the money they had earned with the conquest of Granada. Its style is Plateresque. At its front, two coats of arms of Castilla can be seen.

praza de abastos (city market)

The second most visited monument. This market is the typical Galician market and one of the biggest all over Spain. It's the perfect place to buy some fresh seafood, vegetables and meat.

museums

The city has also several museums that are worth the visit. Some of them are:

Cathedral Museum

it shows the Cathedralâs history and artistic testimonies, from the first basilicas and archaeological remains, the Romanesque period, the work of Master Mateo, with the reconstruction of the Cathedralâs Stone Choir; sculpture in the Cathedral between the 13th and 18th centuries, a tour of the Mannerist Cloister, Library, where the Botafumeiro censer is exhibited and the Chapterhouse, ending on the top floor with an important tapestry collection, which includes a room dedicated to Goya, and the spectacular continuous balcony that dominates Plaza del Obradoiro and the streets of historical Santiago. It opens all the days except on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, January 6th, St. James' Day and August 15th. The prices depend on the person, but it's between 3 and 5 â¬. Praza do Obradoiro.

Museum of the Galician People:

the former Convent of Santo Domingo de Bonaval, situated on a hill outside the walls of the historical city, beside the road used by pilgrims to enter Compostela, now houses the Museo do Pobo Galego Museum of the Galician People, which, provides a general view of the most representative expressions of Galiciaâs own culture. It displays different aspects of costal life, traditional trades, the country, traditional costumes and architecture. It also includes sections of Galician archaeology, painting and sculpture. Different temporary exhibitions are regularly organized on a variety of subjects. The entrance is free and it's open all the year except on Mondays. It's also the place where many important Galician figures are buried. RÃºa de San Domingos de Bonaval.

CGAC (Galician Centre of Contemporary Art):

open since 1993, and holding a stable programme since 1995, the Centro Galego de Arte ContemporÃ¡nea is located in the limits of the Old Town in Santiago de Compostela. The building was designed by Portuguese architect Ãlvaro Siza and finds a careful balance between the outer and innerspace. The entrance is free and it's open always except on Mondays. RÃºa RamÃ³n MarÃa del Valle-InclÃ¡n.

Pilgrimage Museum:

the exhibition highlights the importance, for European culture and Hispanic America, of the pilgrimage and worship of St. James. The entrance is free for people under 18 and over 65, and it costs 1.20 â¬ for students and 2.40 â¬ to the rest of people. RÃºa de San Miguel.

praza da quintana (quintana square)

This is the square situated at the other side of the Cathedral. It's divided in two, Quintana dos Mortos, just until the staircase and Quintana dos Vivos, the upper side. In the past it served as cementery and market. There's a legend that tells that if you're at this square alone at midnight, you will be able to see all the deads there buried.

colexio de san xerome (san jerã³nimo college)

It was founded by the archbishop Alonso III de Fonseca to host poor students. Its front has a Romanesque style.

praza de praterãas (silversmith's square)

Close to the Quintana, it has a well-known fountain and it offers one of the best sights of the Cathedral.

monasterio de san martiã±o pinario (san martãn pinario monastery)

Benedictine monastery of the XI century. The current building is baroque. It's one of the most emblematic buildings of all the city. It's situated in the Praza da Inmaculada.

palacio de xelmãrez (gelmãrez palace)

Built in the XII and XIII centuries, it's the current home of the archbishop of Santiago. It's a great example of the Romanesque civil architecture.

palacio de raxoi (rajoy palace)

Building of the XVIII century, it was built to host the city council, a jail, a seminary and the residence for the children of the choir. It was built under the classic canons. At the top, there's a sculpture of St. James riding his horse and fighting with the Arabs.

catedral santiago de compostela (cathedral of santiago de compostela)

This Cathedral has so many examples of different architectural styles that it would be impossible to reflect here everything. Maybe the most important are the Baroque front of the Praza do Obradoiro and the interior porch, PÃ³rtico da Gloria. For a better idea of what this Cathedral means for the art and the Catholic religion, visit this link of the Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/w...).

The tomb of Santiago "Saint James" is located under the Cathedral, and there's the possibility to visit its tomb and even hug the sculpture that represents the saint. On regular occasions the church shows its "Botafumeiro", a huge solid silver incense burner which is swung from the ceiling of the church by a team of energetic men "tiraboleiros" hauling on ropes.

casa da parra (parra house)

Situated at the Quintana dos Vivos, this building has the typical chimney of the XVIII century.