๐ช๐ธ Santiago de Compostela๏
Santiago de Compostela is a city that is located in the northwest of Spain and is one of the main places of pilgrimage of Christianity. This city falls in love at first sight with the beautiful streets of the old town, declared a World Heritage Site, for its monumental Cathedral and its prestigious university that is more than 500 years old.
In Santiago de Compostela you can taste excellent cuisine where seafood and fish predominate, such as Galician octopus, scallops, Galician empanada, barnacles or the famous Santiago cake.
We have made a list of the essential places that you must visit if you go to Santiago de Compostela, so that you do not miss the most important things.
The Cathedral of Santiago of Compostela๏
The Cathedral was built between 1075 and 1211 with baroque and gothic elements mixed with the romantic style, in order to house the tomb of the Apostle Santiago. Its faรงade is impressive and you can enter its interior through the Puerta de Platerรญas to visit its 16 chapels. In the back of the High Altar of the Cathedral is the image of the apostle Santiago, where many believers stop to embrace it.
The jewel of this temple is the Pรณrtico de la Gloria, which has numerous religious figures and you can also be surprised by the huge 50-kilo censer, set in motion to swing it during religious celebrations.
Obradoiro Square๏
The Square Obradoiro, in addition to the cathedral, has several interesting places to see such as the Pazo de Raxoi, which is the current seat of the town hall, the old episcopal palace, the Pazo de Xelmirez, and the old college of the city, the Colexio de Saint Xerome. However, the building preferred by most is the hospital of the Catholic Monarchs, which was built in 1501 to give shelter to pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, today it is a hotel known as the Parador de Santiago and its interior is a true wonder.
Historic helmet๏
Around the Plaza de Obradoiro is the Historic Quarter that was declared a World Heritage Site, full of cobbled streets, squares, stately homes, palaces, fountains and churches that take you back to medieval times. Among the most outstanding sites are the Plaza de las Platerรญas, de la Quintana, de Cervantes, the stately homes of Deรกn, da Balconada, de la Parra and its most emblematic streets such as Rรบa Raรญรฑa, Rรบa do Franco, Rรบa Nova and the Rรบa do Vilar, all surrounded by old buildings and that are really worth visiting.
In this area there are also some of the best restaurants in the city such as Gato Negro, A Noiesa or Mesรณn 42. If you prefer to eat octopus, the recommendation is to go to Mesรณn do Pulpo and if it is a special occasion, you can go to Casa Marcelo that has a simply delicious tasting menu.
Convent of San Francisco๏
The Convent of San Francisco is a monastery built at the beginning of the 13th century and, according to tradition, it was San Francisco de Asรญs himself who ordered its construction. Although it is true that the monastery collapsed at the beginning of the 18th century and today only its Cloister, five Gothic arches and the tomb of Cotolay remain from the original building. The current building is the neoclassical baroque style and is worth a tour.
Food Market๏
The Food Market is the second most visited site after the Cathedral. There you can see local people buying seafood, fish, vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, etc. but you can also consume fresh products from the market such as oysters at A Ostrerรญa, at Pulperia Abastos try their exquisite octopus or they cook for you at the moment at Mariscomania what you have bought in the market, for approximately five euros per diner.
Galician Peopleโs Museum๏
The Museo do pobo Galego offers you a walk through Galician culture through its history, it is located in the Santo Domingo de Bonaval convent. You will be able to hallucinate with its triple helicoidal staircase and the Church, where the remains of famous Galicians such as the poet Rosalรญa de Castro are found.
Climb Mount Pedroso๏
The recommendation is to climb Monte Pedroso either on foot or by car towards sunset, the views of the city, the natural surroundings and the cathedral are magnificent. The other very popular viewpoint is Monte do Gozo, which is located on a 380-meter hill 5 km from the city.
Monastery of San Martin Pinario๏
The Monastery of San Martรญn Pinario is located in the Plaza de la Inmaculada. This Benedictine monastery was built in the 10th century and stands out for its faรงade with various religious figures, its two cloisters and the Church, which houses a major baroque-style altarpiece and the beautiful choir stalls.
Alameda Park๏
The Alameda Park offers you walks among eucalyptus, chestnut and oak trees as well as several statues such as that of Rosalรญa de Castro, that of the two Marรญas and that of the playwright Valle Inclรกn. You can also go to the viewpoints on the Paseo de la Herradura where you will get fantastic views of the historic center and the Cathedral.
River walk along the Sarela River๏
Bordering the Sarela River, you can take a pleasant walk, starting with the Iglesia del Carmen de Abaixo.
Another worthwhile route is the Sar river path with its beautiful natural landscapes and you will be able to see a Romanesque temple such as the Colexiata de Santa Marรญa do Sar, built in the 12th century where you will be impressed by its interior and the inclination of its columns. Near this area there is an architectural complex designed by the architect Peter Eisenman, which is the City of Culture of Galicia, you will be pleasantly surprised by its design and its forms, in addition to its unique buildings offering an extensive cultural offer, which you cannot Stop watching.
Santiago de Compostela is a city steeped in history, which still preserves its medieval structures.