Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela - Picture of Amaianos
Santiago de Compostela, the last step of the homonym spectacular way, is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
The story of Santiago
The story of the founding of Santiago comes from the fascinating legend of Santiago Apostol (St. James), who was executed in Jerusalem in AD 44, whose remains were transported here by boat from the Holy Land.
In 813 the tomb of St. James was discovered by a hermit traditionally led by a star: Compostela derives from the Latin campus stellae. Santiago de Compostela became the symbol of the reunification of Christian Spain, so that the remains of the supposed tomb was built a church which became a pilgrimage destination worldwide.
The Catedral del Apostol
This church, now became the Catedral del Apostol, awaits you in Praza do Obradoiro at the end of the Camino de Santiago, with its sumptuous Baroque west facade. The core of the building was built between 1075 and 1211 on a draft Master Mateo, the original facade was the Portico de la Gloria now, and cupolas and ornamental statues were built later.
In moving towards the beautiful interior 'Altar Mayor, Churrigueresque style, you'll notice right through with a ladder and climb up if you can embrace the statue of St. James, which dates from the thirteenth century.
Under the other hand, going down some stairs, you will end up in the basement where he finds what is believed to be the tomb of St. James. But it does not end here because the architectural and artistic treasures of the cathedral are so numerous that it is just one visit.
If you're lucky, you can attend one of the extraordinary efforts made during which it is the incense censer with the world's largest, the botafumiero, which is oscillated throughout the transect from the people called tiraboleiros.
Other attractions in Santiago de Compostela
Besides the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela await other places of interest such as the 'Hostal dos Reis Catolicos, beautiful squares, including the beautiful Praza das Praterías Fuentes de los Caballos, or the Puerta Santa, which is open only on the year in which the Feast of St. James (July 25) falls on a Sunday.
