Museum of Pilgrimage

A definite must do even if you are a pilgrim. After just completing the northern route I was skeptical about going to a museum. I am glad I did and it was free (Aug 2025). The displays have English text as well and they provide good descriptions. Learnt new things. There was no queue which I found surprising since it was a Sunday in high season.

Eye-opening museum on at least four floors which included exhibitions on the idea/concept of pilgrimage worldwide, with an obvious focus on Catholic/Christian pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. Worth a visit if you have 1-2h to spare. Or you could do it in about 30min like I did while waiting for a train (unfortunately had to miss out the top floor, though). There’s an area in the basement for bag drop which needs a refundable 1euro for the locker to work.

It was free so I can't really criticize, but the exhibits were quite average. I was hoping to learn about the different pilgrimage routes but it was more about the iconography of St James. My favorite exhibit turned out to be the one about music

:) :) :) :) :) Free entry at time of this review - Sep 2022. Staff really helpful with information - especially Mary Magdalene at the front desk. Museums Display writing and video displays available in Galician, Spainish and English with audio options in various languages available to download via smartphone. Lockers require €1 coin for key deposit and there are very large and small lockers for hiking backpacks as no bags allowed inside. Very worth while for anyone a d especially worth while for those who will consider the pilgrimage to Santiago. Kids loved it especially the musical instruments history and sounds and the place to write and share your thoughts near the viewpoint windows on the top floor.

A fantastic museum that explains all about what being a pilgrim is and how the camino came to be. Amazing, plus if your a pilgrim you go in for free!

This was a museum that surprised me. After doing the Camino de Santiago I wanted to check this museum out. Glad I did. It's a museum about pilgrimage not just the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage but pilgrimages throughout the world. They talked about many of the different pilgrimages that are in the world. I felt very connected to all those other fellow pilgrims who have walked a similar path. They have old artifacts from The 14th Century from the 15th century. They have writings and manuscripts of pilgrims on their journey. They talked about how the Camino de Santiago evolved into what it is known for today. You learn about St James and his pilgrimage and his time that he spent in Galicia. For being a saint and an apostle Saint James was quite the swordsman on a horse. Having killed many infidels who were not Christian. You learned about the story of how they found the remains of St James and then the building of the church around the remains. To this day they still say that the remains of St James's under the altar in the Cathedral. You can take a tour of the cathedral to see his remains. They had interesting clothing and gear that pilgrims used in the centuries before us to walk there Pilgrimage. In the day of age of Gore-Tex lightweight fabrics weatherproof and waterproof materials it's crazy what they wore to walk their Journey their pilgrimage to Santiago. I'm sure some of you reading this that has done the Camino remembers blisters on your feet when you see some of the shoes that they wore on their Camino you'll be amazed and grateful for the shoes/boots you have. It's a very interesting museum and is free to visit if you're a pilgrim. You should check it out. It's worth your time. Highly recommend.

Excellent museum that describes de folklore of the peregrination. It has elevator access once inside. It is free of charge. Must have one Euro to place belongings in a locker.

Worth visiting. I'm sure it will add a lot of context regarding pilgrimage as such and Santiago in particular to most visitors. I only wish there was more exhibition regarding practical aspects of pilgrimage in old times.