The Cathedral
Dominating Santiago de Compostela, the cathedral towers high for all to see. It is a focus of the main cultural points in the city, the reason for the thousands of pilgrimages, and the one sight not to be missed as it is famously the burial place for Saint James. The ornate main façade of the cathedral looks onto the Obradoiro square, and faces the Galizian parliament building. You need a good hour to explore the Cathedral in depth, particularly due to the fact that architecturally it originates from several eras. The lower levels date back as far as the 12th century, while other additions date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The cathedral is primarily Romanesque; however the façade shows many Baroque features. The magnificent design on the facade is considered to be some of the most outstanding masonry in Spain. Entry is free but it is also possible to buy an all access pass to the cathedral, allowing you to explore the 3 or 4 levels thoroughly, including the artwork and religious exhibits and to enjoy the wonderful views from the gallery. The interior of the cathedral is just as spectacular as the outside which is again in the Romanesque style. The main feature inside is the Portico de Gloria, behind the West façade, which is a masterwork of sculpture dating between 1168 and 1188, and of course, the crypt of Saint James.
The RajoyPalace
Facing the Cathedral, this beautiful neo classical Palace houses the Parliament buildings in Santiago de Compostela. It was designed by a Frenchman, Charles Lemaur and is also used as the town hall and is one of the four keystone buildings in the Obradioro square. A bishop named Rajoy wanted instigated its construction in the 18th century but for religious purposes, hence its name. In its early years, it was used primarily for religion, but it has also been used as a prison in the past.
The Chapterhouse
This is located in the Plaza de las Platerias, and the fountain in the plaza is equally as visited. The building is a beautiful ornate piece of architecture, a mixture of baroque and neo classical styles. It lies in opposite the cathedral, which is where everyone flocks to first, but this building should not be ignored.
Rectorado de la Universidad
This is the final building lining the Obradoiro square in Santiago. It was built in the 17th century and used to be the University college building for San Jeronimo University. Its red roof lends it some colour, making it distinctive from the other buildings on the square.
Gastronomy
Galizia is famously known for its seafood due to its extensive coastline and is the staple diet of Galizians. Evidently, it is the freshest possible, due to the short distance from the coastline to the city, and local favourites include Vieira, Pulpo (octopus), Calamari, Langoustine and Navajas. The Galizians also eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, and less pasta and rice dishes than the rest of Spain.
Cosa stai cercando a santiago?
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