Must-SeePorto
About 120 miles away
A granite riverside city, famous for port wine lodges, and a tiled train station.
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Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
The cathedral built over the tomb of St. James, goal of the Camino, with a baroque front and a Romanesque heart.
- Open
- Every day
- Price
- Free; timed tickets for the Portico of Glory, the museum and the rooftop tours
- Time Needed
- 2 hours
- Address
- Praza do Obradoiro, 15704 Santiago de CompostelaDirections
- Getting There
- At the heart of the Old Town.
Why Go
The Romanesque cathedral was begun in 1075 over the shrine of the apostle and wrapped in the 18th century in the soaring baroque facade that faces the Obradoiro. Behind it stands the Portico of Glory, Master Mateo's carved doorway of 1188, with some 200 figures still bright with paint.
Pilgrims climb behind the high altar to embrace the jeweled statue of St. James and visit his silver casket in the crypt. On great feasts the Botafumeiro, a giant silver censer, swings the length of the transept, pulled by eight men.
Tips
- Book the rooftop tour for views across the city from the granite roofs.
Nearby in Santiago de Compostela
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