Karl WP Beyer Villagarcía, the cruise destination on the Atlantic Ocean, is primarily a destination for nature lovers. The city's surroundings offer a variety of landscapes: rugged rocky coasts, fjord-like river valleys, islands, beaches and an attractive hinterland. On the other hand, there is a lack of notable architectural or cultural sights. Visitors can find it in the university town of Santiago de Compostela, 50 kilometers away.
Santiago de Compostela - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. The city, with a population of more than 97.000, has been the seat of a university since 1495 with currently 45.000 students. Santiago de Compostela was next to Prague and Reykjavik European Capital of Culture 2000. The city is also a world-famous pilgrimage site at the end of the Camino de Santiago. The city is 260 meters above sea level and offers a wealth of attractions that more than a visitor can take in in a few hours. Our top attractions are:
Santiago de Compostela - Portal of the Iglesia de San Francisco
Santiago Apóstol Cathedral
The cathedral is the destination and the main attraction for pilgrims, who struggle to reach the city on foot via the Camino de Santiago or using modern means of transport such as airplanes. The construction of the house of God, one of the most important shrines of the Catholic Church, began in 1057. The first construction phase took 36 years. And since episcopal churches are subject to regular requests for changes from church superiors over time, renovations and extensions took several centuries. When visiting the cathedral, the following crowd pullers should be seen:
- the Pórtico da Gloria from 1188, the Portico of Glory on the west portal;
- the crypt;
- the Holy Door;
- the roof areas of the cathedral as part of group tours;
- the botafumeiro, the huge censer that is waved on high holidays;
- the baroque-style main altar with the oversized canopy.
Santiago de Compostela - Cathedral - Fachada das Praterias
It is possible to find out whether the bones of the Apostle James the Elder, Christian martyr and Patron of Spain are actually in the chamber below the choir. According to tradition, the remains of his students Atanasius and Theodore rest next to him.
Praza do Obradoiro
Hospital de los Reyes Católicos
Below the cathedral on the north side of Praza do Obradoiro is the 5-star Parador Hotel Hostal de los Reyes Católicos. Since 1512 it has served as a royal hospice for pilgrims to St. James.
Santiago de Compostela - Praza do Obradoiro - Hostal de los Ryes Católicos
The house is considered to be one of the oldest continuously operated hostels in the world, and according to tradition it was the largest accommodation on the Camino de Santiago. Even doctors and a pharmacy were available to the believers in the hospice. The interior of the Parador Hotel and the cloister are museum areas and may be viewed by non-hotel guests.
Praza do Obradoiro
Pazo de Raxoi - Palacio de Rajoy
At right angles to the Hospital de los Reyes Católicos is the almost 90 meter long Pazo de Raxoi. The neoclassical palace opposite the main entrance to the cathedral was originally designed and used as a seminary for confessors.
Santiago de Compostela - Praza do Obradoiro - Pazo de Raxoi
The monumental palace built on the hillside was conveniently used as a prison in the basement. The palace is used as the seat of the President of the Autonomous Region of Galicia and partly as a town hall.
Praza do Obradoiro
Santiago's old town
From Praza do Obradoiro, the path leads into the labyrinth of medieval streets in the old town. The arcades and the many small shops are not to be missed. Also worth seeing is the Praza das Praterías, the work place of the silversmiths in the Middle Ages. From the square, visitors can see the cathedral's Romanesque facade on this side.
Casa do Cabido
The house of the cathedral chapter looks just because of its impressive baroque facade. The house, which is less than four meters wide, was built opposite the cathedral. Its sole purpose was to close a vacant lot with representative, appropriate architecture. The benefit was secondary.
Praza das Praterias
Hospederia San Martin Pinario
The Benedictine monastery of San Martin Pinario is the second largest religious building in Santiago after the cathedral.
Santiago de Compostela - Hospederia San Martin Pinario
Praza da Inmaculada
Xardins da Ferradura
The higher Paseo de la Ferradura gives visitors Santiago panoramic views of the historic old town and the cathedral.