# Catedral de Santiago de Compostela

> Work on the cathedral began in 1075 under Alfonso VI of Castile, and it was consecrated in 1211.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/santiago-cathedral/

The Romanesque and Baroque cathedral at the end of the Camino de Santiago, with the Pórtico de la Gloria inside. Go to the Obradoiro square to see pilgrims reach the end of their route; the old town is best explored on foot.

Work on the cathedral began in 1075 under Alfonso VI of Castile, and it was consecrated in 1211. It is regarded as the burial place of the Apostle James, whose tomb, according to UNESCO, was discovered in the early 9th century, and it is the traditional destination of the Camino de Santiago. Inside, the Pórtico de la Gloria is considered a masterpiece of Romanesque art; Master Mateo completed it in 1188. The Baroque west façade on the Praza do Obradoiro was built between 1738 and 1750 to designs by Fernando de Casas Novoa.

The church is just under 100 m long. On major feast days the Botafumeiro, an incense burner weighing 80 kg, is swung through the transept. In Holy Years, when St James's Day falls on a Sunday, the Holy Door is opened. The old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and is best explored on foot; allow half a day to a full day for the cathedral and the old town. On the Praza do Obradoiro you can often watch pilgrims reach their destination.

- **Nearest town:** Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 42.8806, -8.5447
- **Editor's pick:** ★

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually May–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

**Getting there:**

- **Spain: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels.** Many former toll motorways are now free; some AP roads still charge. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.

## Sources

- [UNESCO: Santiago de Compostela (Old Town)](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/347/)
- [Turismo de Galicia: Catedral de Santiago](https://www.turismo.gal/recurso/-/detalle/3444/catedral-de-santiago-de-compostela)
- [Wikipedia: Santiago de Compostela Cathedral](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_de_Compostela_Cathedral)

## Nearby

- [Hórreo de Carnota](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b13-carnota-horreo/) – 45 km
- [Ézaro waterfall](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b13-ezaro-waterfall/) – 47 km
- [Tower of Hercules](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b13-tower-hercules/) – 57 km
- [Cape Finisterre](https://camping-spirit.com/places/finisterre/) – 59 km

## FAQs

### Where is Catedral de Santiago de Compostela?

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela is in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, at GPS 42.8806, -8.5447. It is about 44 km from Muros.

### Can you camp near Catedral de Santiago de Compostela?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Área de Autocaravanas dos Salgueiriños, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 18 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Catedral de Santiago de Compostela?

Places worth a stop nearby: Hórreo de Carnota (45 km), Ézaro waterfall (47 km), Tower of Hercules (57 km) and Cape Finisterre (59 km).

### When is the best time to visit Catedral de Santiago de Compostela?

The most pleasant months are usually May–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)