Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

The cathedral marks the final destination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and is believed to house the remains of Saint James, one of Jesus’s apostles. Construction began in 1075 and was completed in 1211, with major renovations from the 16th to the 18th centuries that blended Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles into a single monumental structure. Pilgrims traditionally finish their journey by giving a gentle embrace to the back of Saint James’s statue inside the cathedral. One of its most famous features is the Botafumeiro, the world’s largest censer, which swings dramatically from the ceiling during special masses and on the Feast of Saint James (July 25), symbolizing the purification of the sacred space. The main cathedral is free to enter, while access to the museum, roof, and towers requires a ticket. The Pórtico de la Gloria, a Romanesque masterpiece completed by Maestro Mateo in 1188, can be reached through the museum entrance.

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is definitely a special place. People from all over the world come here after days—or even weeks—of exhaustion and devotion. Standing in the main square, you can see countless pilgrims celebrating their incredible accomplishments. The cathedral itself is stunning. Interestingly, some parts are built in the Manueline style, giving it a unique character. The main altar is breathtaking, but for me, the most memorable part was the fragrance that fills the space—a rich blend of myrrh and incense that stays with you long after you leave. This is absolutely worth a visit if you’re in Galicia. I came as part of a tour, but even though I’m not religious, I would love to walk the Camino someday.

The architect of this cathedral is beyond amazing, it’s unbelievable. The inside of the cathedral is so stunning, and incredibly beautiful. I had a wonderful experience in the city of Santiago. It’s super nice and clean. The local food and pastries are great. The architecture of the city is wonderful. I really enjoyed it. I really wanted to spend more hours in the cathedral, because it was a peaceful place for me. I already missed that place and I can’t wait to go back.

Everything about this building is extraordinary. The story of its history with a hermit finding the bones of James the apostle, all through to the current day with its modern pilgrims. The old town in which it is situated is a UNESCO world heritage place and is absolutely charming. Worth the visit to Northern Spain to see.

We walked 100 KM of the Camino De Santiago in 5 days and arrived at this absolutely magnificent church. It is so SO stunning and so big. I felt so awed by how impressive it was. The details are so intricate and the whole thing is just massive - it is such a gorgeous sight.

The Cathedral is the terminus point for those ‘Pilgrims’ who walked the 500 miles, the El Camino’, wether for religious reasons or inner soul searching, it was an impressive sight to see and ponder. It was completed 800 years ago and houses a relic from St. James. For centuries, pilgrims have made the trek. It was humbling to see modern-day folks after completing the walk, some dazed, some laughter, some even crying in celebration of their feat.

I believe that the monument I saw in Santiago was the most pleasant! It was filled with pilgrims who had arrived after days of walking! It is truly emotional. It is a massive cathedral with numerous museums to explore. I highly recommend it.

A great place to people watch and see the walkers at the end of the pilgrimage of the walkers (we had cycled a large section of the walk and it’s simply magnificent) Lots of side street with food to cater for everyone and a real ale bar! Sit back and enjoy the surroundings!

Beautiful - and we got to see the botofumiero in action! Amazing experience. The community feeling was wonderful after a long hike.

Gayle and I returned to the Cathedral de Santiago de Compestela earlier this year, after an absence of 12 years. Back in 2010, we were in our Honeymoon and drove here. This time we walked to the Cathedral at the end of our 6 day Camino Ingles walk of around 113 km. And let me tell you, there's very little more gratifying than posing for a picture at the end of our Camino at the Cathedral for a job well done! The Cathedral plaza was buzzing with activity as many peregrinos arrived around the same time we did. Hugs, smiles, laughter, tears, and pictures were in full display in all directions. And later from the stillness of our hotel room (the Parador), we witness more of this from our window. Our next highlight was obtaining the final stamp of the Cathedral of Santiago on the official pilgrim credenciales, and receiving the traditional certificate, the Compostela. This was done at the nearby Pilgrim's Reception Office operated by Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela. Next on our agenda was the traditional Pilgrim's mass. I'm not Catholic, but I especially enjoyed (and even understood) the homily and the pagentry, even though it was all in Spanish. Yet, the star of the mass was to enjoy the swinging of the Botafumeiro. This is a giant thurible or censer which has been use since the Middle Ages and swung daily during this holy year. This swinging pot was originally used to clean the air in church, with crowds of pilgrims arrived after walking for days...before showers and hotels became available. Several men (tiraboleiros), are required to operate the Botafumeiro. After being filled with incense and coal (weighing 140 pounds and being 5 feet high), the pot is tied to a rope hanging by the altar and set in motion with great precision, forming an impressive 214 feet long arched trajectory along the cathedral. Gayle and I found this to be an incredible sight, of which Yelp readers will miss, as this platform does not accept videos. Finally, there is gratitude. That includes for arriving at the Cathedral safely, allowing us to reflect on our journey, and having the privilege of meeting many interesting fellow pilgrims along the way.

What a beautiful church. We came to the peregrino mass and other masses and it was awesome. Very well organized to keep the sanctity and also handle the many tourists. We did the tour of the museum and the ceiling tour and that is a must for amazing view of the city and great perspectives from behind the scenes of this majestic church. Our camino was an amazing journey and we received so many graces and blessings during our pilgrimage to St. James tomb. Buen Camino!! Jesus, Mary, and Joseph conform our hearts to Yours.

Amazing beginning to our Camino to Finnisterre. Leave your large back packs at the Pilgrim House nearby if you want to attend the Pilgrims' mass.

Truly an amazing cathedral with all the history. Seeing the joy on the faces of people who just completed their pilgrimage. The church is so beautiful. Feeling bless able to see St. James burial place is surreal.

Review #500! FOR ALL THE GLORY! Ok, perhaps not. This cathedral has stood around since the 13th century and there is nothing I can write about the location or the pilgrimage that someone else hasn't already written. Moreover, my experiences during this trip completely surpass my capabilities as a writer. However, considering this adventure easily cemented itself as my most coveted memory/accomplishment of 2019, I could not find any other place more suitable for a review. For those unaware, I hiked the Camino de Santiago (a network of trails through the Spanish countryside), completing my pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and the burial site of the apostle St. James the Greater. It was such a positive experience that I will recommend this trail to anyone capable of doing so. If you must forgo the hike and merely visit the cathedral, that's cool too, but I will advocate for walking the Camino. ___THE CATHEDRAL___ This is one of the only three known churches in the world built over the tomb of an apostle of Jesus. So of course, the cathedral itself is quite massive and grand with awe-inspiring architecture and an abundance of stunning statues as well as other various works of art. I recommend visiting the crypt to kneel at the remains of St. James, hugging the statue of St. James to offer thanks for a safe journey, attending the pilgrim's mass, and taking the tour of the cathedral. Events here are popular, especially between April and October (when pilgrims usually complete the Camino) with peak season occurring July and August. Lines tend to run long so expect to wait around or try to arrive during off-hours. The pilgrim mass is particularly crowded. Arrive early to secure a seat. Additionally, leave your large packs in a secure location before mass. I arrived for pilgrim mass and the security guard politely told me to leave my pack on a bench outside. I do not recommend that option due to risk of theft. Luckily, I snagged a hotel room in the area and was able to leave my belongings with the front desk there. Pay attention to the year you visit. Any year when the Feast of St. James (July 25th) falls on a Sunday is considered a Jubilee Year or Holy Year. During these times, the Camino is typically flooded with pilgrims looking to obtain plenary indulgence (forgiveness of sins) and cross through the holy doors of the cathedral which are only open for Jubilee. As of this writing, the next three Holy Years are 2021, 2027, and 2032. If you're only looking to visit the cathedral without actually walking the Camino, consider planning your trip during the winter months as there are fewer pilgrims around. ___THE CAMINO___ There's something about the Camino that makes it challenging to explain. Rather, this is best comprehended through the experience. You travel to another country for an adventure, immerse yourself in another culture, encounter buildings that predate your own country, spend quite some time in your own head, build surprisingly strong bonds with complete strangers, and visit one of the most beloved religious sites on earth. There's also this peculiar sense of solidarity from waking up every day and hiking for miles with a bunch of random people you just met. The end of the journey was crazy too. I've watched so many vlogs and documentaries about this place that walking through the tunnel into the main square seemed so surreal. Definitely prepare yourself. Spend time walking long distances and hills before your journey. Take account of everything you need to bring. Familiarize yourself with your gear. Pay attention to pack weight. Wear proper footwear that you have broken in already so as to prevent blisters. Bring a hat and sunblock or purchase those on the trail. Expect rainy weather too. I'm running out of room in this review so just do your research. Lastly, I've heard accounts of people who rushed to complete the Camino only to arrive at Santiago de Compostela feeling unfulfilled. They put on their headphones, hike at a frantic pace, and focus so much on the destination that they completely miss the journey. That's such a shame. Like c'mon! It's not a race. The cathedral has been around since the 13th century and it's not going anywhere. Take your time and try to give yourself more time than you think you need to complete the distance you set for yourself. Take breaks. Stop for a 2nd cup of coffee. Stop for a beer. Grab some Galician food (which is fantastic btw). Talk to pilgrims and locals. Just enjoy the experience and enjoy being there. Buen Camino!

Truly an architectural marvel. Although it was being remodeled when I went, I found out I could still go inside to see the tomb of St. James. The entrance is on the right side if you're facing the cathedral front. It's free but you can't have backpacks and/or the security checks them first. There was no line when I went. They don't give you a stamp. Make sure you look up and see the botafumeriro in the main section. St. James' tomb is in the back down some steps. The Plaza Quintana behind the cathedral is also nice.

Unfortunately, I did not get to walk one of the many miles of pathways that lead to this shrine. My allotted vacation time constraints did not allow enough time to walk the "Camino". But not being able to walk did not hold me back from visiting. I'm sure I did not have the same experience as all the other pilgrims that walked for many days had. This place has a very special good feeling to it. I took a 40 minute train ride from Coruna to here as a day trip. The Renfre trains are very clean and the employees are very nice. My day here started early in the morning. Everywhere I walked I saw pilgrims that did the long walk. It appeared as if most of them were not part of any large organized groups. As the day progressed hundreds of travelers turned into thousands, coming from what felt like all directions. Many were by themselves, and others belonged to large groups that were led by someone with a flag that served as a beacon to those that strayed from their groups. Many chanted prayers and others broke out into happy songs in delight of their arrival at their final destination after a long difficult journey. Thousands of people converged onto the plaza in front of the cathedral. Yet it all felt quite orderly. Many walked and many limped down the streets. But they all had a sense of accomplishment across their faces. Many groups were from certain countries. I heard Gallego, Castellano, Catalan, French, German, Italian, Portuguese to name a few. In the middle ages Christians were expected to make a pilgrimage to either Rome, Jerusalem, or Santiago Compostella at least once in their life times if possible. Now days, the pilgrimage is just voluntary. Many use the time to reflect on their lives. While others use it to find meaning. In the old section of the city next to the cathedral I found the medieval streets to be beautiful and filled with shops and very good restaurants. Eating in this part of the country is very reasonable and absolutely delicious. In my opinion its also the best value eating in all of Spain. The seafood in Galicia is prestine and the steaks are some of the best I have had anywhere. If the day is cool and rainy; then, I highly recommend a large bowl of delicious Gallego soup with some hardy Gallego bread to warm you up and put a smile on your face. Your visit here should include very comfortable shoes to wear even if you did not walk the Camino. There are several museums, churches, plazas, restaurants, streets that invite you to explore. The next time I visit, I would prefer to stay in town for at least one night for additional exploration the following day.

Even though the Catedral was closed when we finished the Camino Frances, we still took a tour of the museum and other sections. It's the official end of your Camino and truly a special place for every Peregrino and visitor. Such a beautiful place and sight for sore eyes (and feet). Can't wait to see it again at the end of my next Camino.

Such a beautiful Cathedral located in a lovely area of Santiago De Compostela. The Cathedral is on the St. James way path which our tour group has been stopping at sites. I have to say the architecture of the Cathedral as well as surrounding building in the area are breath taking. The area is reasonably easy to navigate through but do expect a brief wait going in to Cathedral as well as a longer wait (10-15 minutes on a Monday) to see the shrine that is enclosed and houses the remains of St. James. The shrine is immaculate in detail. Unfortunately there was construction going on in the interior due to some illegal graffiti. But we were still very pleased with our visit. I cannot speak regarding parking and did not notice a dedicated parking lot.

This is THE iconic place in Santiago for good reason. Based on my experience here, this first-place status is unquestionably merited. I have seen a number of European cathedrals and I had to conclude that this was one of the more interesting I have visited. There was so much to appreciate about the architecture that it was difficult to take it all in. With regard to the internal contents, the Nave was what commanded my attention. The gold sculpturing is some of the loveliest I have seen. It is worth spending a bit of time to take in the details. I was also fascinated by the coffins in the crypt reputedly containing the remains of St. James. The side chapels also provided interesting viewing as there are several that also feature some lovely and meaningful artwork. Generally speaking, if you are in Santiago, this is an absolute must-see. There is much to appreciate among the architecture and contents. No visit to Santiago is complete without a walk-through.

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela is the main attraction for tourists and locals alike. The burial-place of St James, one of the apostles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pilgrimage Route since Early Middle Ages. Architectural, historical, religious aspect of the Cathedral made this a landmark that worth visiting! I was lucky to be in town on the day when mass was held and able to watch the Botafumeiro (the largest censer in the World) swinging across the apse at a speed of up to 80 km/hr. Nothing too religious as this ritual was believed started over 700 years ago to assisted in masking the "smell" from hundreds of unwashed pilgrims. The best part is it is free to visit!

This is a main pilgrimage site for people from all over the world - a lot of people standing outside the building came from the Camino de Santiago. The inside is beautiful and covered in gold, and there is a statue of a saint that you can go up an hug. I'm not Catholic so I'm not sure which saint it is, but it was a very nice cathedral.

The cathedral REALLY is impressive. And I've visited MANY cathedrals across Europe. Definitely worth going. Beware: there are HUGE crowds. And we went in September when it's less quiet. Here is a quick video of the hike we did El Camino Santiago de Compostela - La Via de la Plata: https://youtu.be/LeA7J8ycz1A Enjoy! Liam

On Day #7 in pouring rain our hiking group arrived to Santiago de Compostela and walked directly to Praza do Obradoiro front of the West side of The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a World Heritage Site in Galicia, Spain. The Cathedral is the reputed burial place of Saint James the Great, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. The cathedral has historically been a place of pilgrimage on the Way of St. James since the Early Middle Ages, and marks the traditional end of the pilgrimage route. Next two days while we explored in the City, rain or shine we were always excited any time visited around this Plaza and central area. Thousands of Pilgrims were seen here in any hours of the day. Seemed like it was the place to be. Despite the fact that currently the main facade of the Cathedral is under going renovation, the beauty of this majestic site is SPECTACULAR!! Once the rain stopped we had a guided tour outside around the Cathedral and inside as well. The final pilgrim's task was to attend a mass in the cathedral .... We joined the 7:30P Service among thousands of Pilgrims. As a personal treasure, I was able to record a 14 sec video with the cathedral's botafumeiro swinging like a pendulum through the sanctuary, leaving behind a trail of smoke and the fragrance of incense. Words cannot capture the magnitude of gratitude what I felt to be part of that celebratory Service!! After the Mass, we were excited to pay a visit to the Tomb of St James located on the floor below, under the Altar. We also followed other fellow Pilgrims to climb the stairs that lead to an area behind the Altar, where we were to embrace the gilded statue of St. James from behind, wrapping our arms around him in a hug. Indeed it is a very special place!!

So many pilgrims walk the Camino without really knowing the reason why. They say they are walking it because it's a great European hiking trip, or they want a break from work, or they want to get in shape. The Cathedral, however, is where the Camino ends. This is the focal point. When you take a trip, any trip, you need to know your destination...where it is that you are going. If you didn't know this, you'd end up getting lost. All along the Camino, there are yellow arrows pointing you in the right direction towards your end goal. That goal is the Cathedral of Santiago. Among Catholic Churches, it is my opinion that this ranks second only to St. Peter's in Rome. There is so much to see and do inside - from the visit to the remains of St. James, to touching his statue behind the altar, to seeing the incredible Portico of Glory, to visiting the amazing side chapels, to visiting the museum downstairs, to watching the botafumiero in action. Make sure that you allow yourself plenty of time to experience the Cathedral. Attend Mass. Realize that Jesus Christ is your destination. He is at the center of the Cathedral. He is The Way. Whether you realize it or not, He is the reason for your Camino pilgrimage. He desires to have a relationship with you. Allow Him into your heart as you take in the splendor that is the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Allow him to love you. While you're there, why not go to the Sacrament of Confession? It's offered every day. There's also an English speaking Mass offered every day. So take advantage of these Sacraments. You'll leave enriched. After walking more than 100 miles on the Camino ourselves, we arrived in Santiago de Compostela with a great desire to see the Botafumeiro (the world's largest incenser) in action. We arrived for the Feast of St. James - July 25th. We ended up attending four events in the Church with the hopes of seeing the Botafumeiro. We weren't disappointed. At our final Mass, the cloaked botafumeiro handlers approached and put the huge incensor into action. It's incredible to watch it swing across the transept of the Cathedral (see photo), rising up (it seems) nearly to the ceiling and then swinging back across. If you've seen this online or in the film "The Way," there's nothing that can quite capture it when it's happening right above your head. It's simply unexplainable, but can only be experienced. Of course, the deeper meaning is that you, as a pilgrim, are being blessed at the end of your pilgrimage journey. Be aware that during Mass you cannot take pictures. However, when the botafumeiro is in action, you're free to take pictures. If you make it to Santiago de Compostela, do whatever you can to see this. It's unforgettable.

5p* Cathedral Santiago de Compostela Romanesque and baroque style Finishing place for hikers who have done El Camino Hold noon time multilingual, multicultural mass for these pilgrims The swinging of the botafumeiro (incense holder) is very, very cool This a must see; should be on most people's bucket list p.s. check out the Museum of Pilgrimage close by

We were at the cathedral at all saints day (1st of November) the church was full with people, this impacted me. The highlight of our visit to the cathedral was seeing the Botafumeiro with the smoke swinging across the apse of the cathedral. They do not do this every day so make sure to inform about the schedule. The cathedral is free to enter, ofcourse the mass and to see the botafumeiro is too. We payed to see the Portico (3 euro), but it is under construction so you could not really see it, or make a nice picture, I would not pay for it again

This cathedral was begun in 1075, under Alfonso VI, and one of its creators was Mestre Mateo. It was dedicated in 1211, under Alfonso IX. From its medieval character it evolved and acquired Renaissance features. Its history is long and well documented. The Cathedral houses what are said to be the remains of St. James, patron saint of Spain and one of the Apostles. His grave was supposedly discovered by a hermit in 814 a.d. and the building to honor him became one of the three major pilgrimage sites in the Middle Ages, along with Rome and Jerusalem. The university was founded in 1495. All four façades have their own style and history. On the west is the Pórtico da Gloria, 12th c. Romanesque style. When a plaster cast was made for a British museum, much of the color was destroyed, but currently there is a restoration project, to be completed in 2010. The Peregrina (Pilgrim) mass is when the botafumeiro or thurible, the world's largest censer, is swung, and never fails to enthrall the observers. Beneath the cathedral are excavations of pre-Christian time. All of Santiago was built on a Roman settlement and a Celtic castro. Today there are still thousands of pilgrims and tourists who visit annually, out of curiosity, a spirit of adventure or religious devotion, or historical interest. Many come to embrace the statues of St. James, kneel before his crypt, contemplate the Pórtico, make a wish or promise in the column in the center of the entryway, or knock their heads against the santo dos croques (the saint of the blows), said to bring knowledge to the forehead's owner. (The saint is really a self-portrait by Master Mateo, creator of the Pórtico da gloria.) If one is a fan of Iberian cathedrals, this one, as much for its architecture as for its legends and traditions, is a must-see. It has also been the subject of poems such as those by Gerardo Diego, in the book Angeles de Compostela.

the itinerary of a recent trip was certain to be loads of fun and discovery. but it also had a religious aspect. including return visits to the Vatican and St. Catherine's shrine in Paris, mom also wanted to bring us to Fatima (Portugal) and Lourdes (France). one other stop i was most looking forward to was Santiago (St. James) de Compostela . while living in Paris, St. James was omnipresent. the ancient route of piligrims toward Spain was and still is rue Saint-Jacques in quartier latin, where a church in his name stands. scallops are called coquilles Saint-Jacques, it's shell the apostle's symbol. french history is replete with accounts of 100km travels by nobility and laymen to the shrine. a 1,000 years later, Christians continue to make the pilgrimage to Compostela, where a grand Romanesque Cathedral was built (ca 1200) on the saint's burial site. http://www.yelp.fr/biz/silversea-cruises-london#hrid:_vDy9qpuFW1qizSN0ZIEYQ

Amazing building. Take the roof tour. You literally walk on the slanted roof! Great views, cool experience. Get to the church services early if you want a seat. The pilgrim's mass is really special.

You thought I was going to stop reviewing just because I'm in a remote mountainous town in Spain? Not a chance! This cathedral is about an hour away from where my grandparents live (45 minutes with the new highway!) and I go to it all the time. I have so many memories of good times inside and around it- my art history nerd of a sister yelling at me for taking a picture with flash, stumbling around the plaza at 2am after going to the fiesta, and getting yelled at in a hushed voice by my mom when our 2am stumbling turned into 8am stumbling. The cathedral itself is spectacular- you really have to be there to see it. Advice from a pro: get there early to beat the lines and if you have time go to the special mass for the pilgrims (that's when they break out the botafumeiro, a Galician specialty). Oh, and if you see the pillar where people are lining to bump their heads (people do this because the architect of the Cathedral was so smart that they were hoping his intelligence would rub off on them) go around the pillar and bump your head on the other side of where most people are. Most people bump their heads on the wrong guy, who wasn't really all that smart.

What else can I say that marchk hasn't already said? This is an amazing monument and the fact that you actually can see in front of your eyes the tomb of a saint is really something. As I said in my previous reviews I am not a believer but I quite like the historical facts of religion and Santiago de Compostela is full of them. The tomb is enormous, it is the back of what you see when the priest is preaching at the Catedral. It is pretty large and you have to queue a bit to get there, but then you see the statue (which some people embrace) and a keeper in front of it, preventing you from taking pictures of it (he looks evil by the way, you won't miss it). You then exit that little room and go underneath it to actually see the safe kept tomb. The Catedral is enormous, it has 5 exits and the height of it is just ludicrous! When you leave by the fron exit you will notice its size and you will also notice one of Compostela's most famous characters, a shepherd (always smoking). It is so characteristic that makes him funny. The facilities of the Catedral also include a museum (fees apply) of sacred art, in my opinion it wasn't really worth it, but you may enjoy seeing the reliquary and some other precious religious items. This is one of those places that if you like tourism you have to go there. If you enjoy trekking you might also consider doing the Camiño de Compostela, you have peregrinations going all the way from Devon to Galicia. It must be quite a trip!

So in 2011 its the 800th anniversary of the cathederal and there is a whole programme of events lined up.... see http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2010/12/09/galicia/1291904650.html and its in spanish but in english... a programme of classical, organ and contemplative music and other cultural goings on. The cathederal itself is undergoing renovation and much of the porta gloria is under scaffolding as of June 2011... Santiago himself, St James is said to be buried in the crypt but there are counter stories not least the improbable journey of his corpse from the holy land to, at the time, obscure part of Spanish coastline.... However, he is the patron saint of spain and popped up to help catholic spain defeat the moors and at other various times in history. In the cathederal itself he is depicted several times and more controversially on his horse trampling on a desperate moor. Not quite pc but its still there on fall view. more info on http://www.galicianoroeste.wordpress.com

What can I say. After walking 31 days across Northern Spain to get to the Cathedral de Santiago.. it is pretty amazing. I didn't feel that connected to any of the other Cathedrals along 'the way' but this one definitely had a special feeling. The mass was totally boring as usual, and they didn't even do the incense fumigation thing sadly. I waited in line to hug St. James and felt ridiculous. I am not a fan of blind faith and what the church has done to spread it's faith, but it still was an amazing place to be.