Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

About this place

For centuries, pilgrims have travelled here to honour Saint James, whose tomb is traditionally associated with the site. A Romanesque core sits behind later architectural additions. Look for the different periods that record the cathedral's continuing importance as a pilgrimage destination. The association with Saint James belongs to religious tradition, an important distinction when reading the site's history. The continuing movement of pilgrims has shaped how the cathedral is approached and understood. Its changing façades and additions record the long life of a shrine that remained meaningful to successive generations.