Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (Galician: Catedral de Santiago de Compostela) is a Roman Catholic church in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The cathedral is the burial-place of Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ … [More]

La Basílica de Santiago de Compostela: Custodia de los mortales Apóstol Santiago el Mayor. Santiago, Primer Apóstol Mártir Después de evangelizar España, Santiago regresó a Palestina donde fue asesinado. Sus discípulos recobraron su cuerpo y lo trasladaron a Galicia, en una barca milagrosa, guiada solamente por Dios. Se cuenta que su cuerpo fue enterrado en el antiguo palacio de Lupa que fue convertido en Iglesia. Descubrimiento de la tumba del Apóstol La tumba de Santiago Apóstol fue olvidada por mas de 800 años. Bajo el reinado de Alfonso II (789-842), un ermitaño llamado Pelagio recibió en visión, conocimiento del lugar donde se encontraban los restos del Apóstol. El campo donde yacía la tumba escondida se llenó de una luz brillante y desde entonces se le conoce como "Compostela" (Campo de Estrellas). El hallazgo de la tumba ocurre en un momento providencial. Los cristianos se encontraban abatidos bajo el imperio del Islam y la fe cristiana corría el peligro de ser erradicada. La lucha por la reconquista duró hasta el año 1492. Ese largo período de tiempo forzó a los cristianos a una guerra de supervivencia en la que se apoyaban del auxilio del Apóstol y de la Virgen Santísima. El obispo de Iria Flavia, Theodomir, después de investigaciones declaró que eran verdaderamente los restos y la tumba del Apóstol Santiago. El Santo Padre, León XIII, en 1884, en forma de Bula Papal confirmó que los restos en Santiago de Compostela pertenecían a Santiago Apóstol. Matamoros Santiago Apóstol llegó a ser conocido como el "Matamoros", matador de los moros. Ese nombre se origina durante la Reconquista y da a entender que las tropas Cristianas tenían al Apóstol como patrón. En la actualidad comprendemos mejor que la guerra no es contra seres de carne y hueso sino contra principados y potestades, es decir contra Satanás y sus demonios. Santiago sigue siendo el protector y guía de los Cristianos en la batalla actual por la fe. Santiago de Compostela como lugar de Peregrinación En la edad media, todos los caminos conducían a Santiago de Compostela. Jerusalén había sido conquistada por los moros y los cristianos no podían peregrinar allí. Quedaban como principales lugares de peregrinación Roma y Santiago de Compostela, la cuidad, localizada en el extremo noroeste de España, y por lo tanto de Europa. Todos los países Europeos tenían sus lugares santos, pero en Santiago, el peregrinaje llegaba a un punto culmen. Hasta la palabra peregrinación la asociaban con la cuidad de Santiago. Muchos peregrinos caminaban hacía la tumba de Santiago. La ruta a Santiago se hizo tan famosa que los pueblos y monasterios del camino adquirieron notoriedad. Como muchas personas llegaban desde todas partes de Europa, no existía un camino exacto.. En Francia habían cuatro lugares que se designaban como el comienzo del camino hacía Santiago de Compostela. En España, estos caminos confluían en dos principales caminos, el Camino Aragonés y el Camino Francés, siendo este último el mas famoso. El Camino Francés sigue el antiguo camino Romano, la Vía Traiana. Hay evidencia de que había una tradición de hacer peregrinación por este camino ya en los tiempos Romanos para llegar 80 kilómetros mas allá de Santiago de Compostela, hasta Finisterre, o el "fin de la tierra", un lugar de muchas connotaciones místicas y mitológicas. En la actualidad siguen utilizando los caminos miles de peregrinos y, aunque las motivaciones que los mueven son diversas, es impresionante observar la devoción de muchos de ellos. Los testimonios de conversión y gracia abundan. Regreso a la peregrinación a Santiago de Compostela Ver también Santiago Mayor, Apóstol http://www.corazones.org/lugares/espana/santiago_compostela/santiago_apostol.htm cfpopsycle | May 10, 2007 Noon Mass for pilgrims, 26-April-2007

Die Kathedrale von Santiago de Compostela steht über einer Grabstätte, die dem Apostel Jakobus zugeschrieben wird. Durch die bischöfliche und päpstliche Anerkennung der aufgefundenen Gebeine als Reliquien Jakobi gilt die Kathedrale von Santiago als Grabeskirche des Apostels Jakobus. Die armenische Jakobskathedrale in Jerusalem beansprucht aber im Besitz des Schädels des Apostels zu sein. Architektur Der Kathedralbau begann 1077 unter der Herrschaft von Alfons VI. über den Resten einer ältereren Kirche aus dem 8. Jahrhundert. 1120 wurde sie zum Sitz des ersten Erzbischofs des Erzbistum Santiago de Compostela Diego Gelmírez. Heute ist nur noch das romanische Südportal (Puerta de las Platerías) in der ursprünglichen Gestalt erhalten. Die zahlreichen Erweiterungen der Kathedrale führen mit dem barocken Westportal, der klassizistischen Nordfassade und den gotischen Kreuzgängen im Inneren mehrere Baustile zusammen. Die Grundfläche wurde dabei von ehemals 8.200 m² auf 23.000 m² erweitert. Betritt man den Dom vom Obradoiro-Platz aus über die doppelte Treppe begegnet man im Eingang des Westportals (Fachada del Obradoiro)als erstes einem der bedeutendsten Kunstschätze der Kathedrale: dem Pórtico de la Gloria. Er wurde von Maestro Mateo und seiner Werkstatt bis 1188 geschaffen. Das mit Skulpturen ausgestattete Portal gilt als ein künstlerisches Meisterwerk. Durchschreitet man den Pórtico fällt der Blick durch das insgesamt fast 100 m lange, 8,5 m breite und fast 20 m hohe Mittelschiff auf den gegenüberliegenden prächtigen Hauptaltar, der über dem Grab des Apostels errichtet wurde. Sie entsprach sowohl der barocken Lust nach Üppigkeit als auch der Notwendigkeit, den seit fast sechs Jahrhunderten seine Farbe verlierenden Pórtico de la Gloria vor den Unbilden der Witterung zu schützen. An den Seiten der Westfassade erheben sich die etwa 75 m hohen Türme, von denen der südliche (rechts) nach seiner Funktion Glockenturm („Torre de las Campanas“) und der nördliche (links) „Torre de las Carracas“ genannt wird - nach den Klappern oder Knarren mit denen in der Karwoche („semana santa“) das Läuten der Glocken ersetzt wird. Im Mittelgiebel erhebt sich das Standbild des Apostels Jakobus in einer Darstellung als Pilger. Zu seinen Seiten und etwas unterhalb begleiten ihn seine Schüler Atanasius und Theodor Den Altar schmückt ein vergoldeter Baldachin. Darunter befindet sich die Gruft mit einem silbernen Schrein, der die Reliquien enthält, unter anderen ein auf das Jahr 874 datiertes goldenes Kruzifix, das einen Splitter des Kreuzes Christi beinhalten soll. Zu hohen Feiertagen oder auf Bestellung wird der berühmte Botafumeiro durch das Querschiff geschwenkt. Es handelt sich dabei um ein etwa 1,60 m großes Weihrauchfass, das an einem etwa 30 m langen Seil von der Decke hängt und nach dem Hochamt von sechs Männern in Bewegung gesetzt und bis hoch unter die Decke geschwungen wird. Außer seiner üblichen Funktion in der Liturgiefeier diente der Botafumeiro dazu, den Geruch der Pilger zu neutralisieren, die nach ihrer Wallfahrt auf dem Jakobsweg eine ganze Nacht wachend und betend in der Kathedrale verbracht hatten. 1985 wurde die Altstadt von Santiago de Compostela, und damit auch die Kathedrale, zum UNESCO Weltkulturerbe erklärt. Das Bild der Kathedrale schmückt die kleinen Euro-Cent-Münzen aus Spanien. Siehe auch [Bearbeiten] Erzbistum Santiago de Compostela Liste der Erzbischöfe von Santiago de Compostela Jakobsweg Literatur [Bearbeiten] Kenneth J. Conant: The early architectural history of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Cambridge/Mass. 1926 Kenneth J. Conant: Arquitectura Románica da Catedral de Santiago de Compostela. Santiago de Compostela 1983 (Neuausgabe des erstmals 1926 erschienenen Standardwerkes) José Guerra Campos / Jesús Precedo Lafuente: Guia de la Catedral de Santiago de Compostela. Santiago de Compostela 1981 Francisco Singul Lorenzo (Hrsg.): Die Kathedrale von Santiago de Compostela - Das Ziel des Jakobsweges. Santiago de Compostela 1995 Christoph Kühn: Die Kathedrale von Santiago de Compostela. Das Ziel des Jakobsweges. In: Sternenweg. Mitteilungen der Deutschen St. Jakobus-Gesellschaft, 17. Jahrgang 2004, Heft 33, S. 17-23, Heft 34, S. 14-21 Anke Wunderwald / Jens Rüffer: Die Kathedrale von Santiago de Compostela. Konstruktion - Gestalt - Programm. In: Mitteilungen der Carl-Justi-Vereinigung zur Förderung der kunstwissenschaftlichen Zusammenarbeit mit Spanien und Portugal, 20. Jahrgang 2008, S. 134-138

A Catedral de Santiago de Compostela é uma catedral em estilo românico, pertencente à Arquidiocese de mesmo nome. Construída entre os anos de 1075 e 1128, durante a Reconquista Cristã, na época de Cruzadas, está situada no centro histórico da cidade, a qual está localizada no centro da província da Corunha, na Galiza. É um milenar centro de peregrinação cristã da Europa e foi fator determinante para colocar a Espanha dentro dos círculos medievais graças ao chamado Caminho de Santiago, dedicado a Santiago Maior, atual patrono e protetor do Reino da Espanha. Origem: Wikipédia, a enciclopédia livre. Após o descobrimento[1] pelo bispo Teodomiro de Iria Flavia, entre 820 e 835, do que se consideravam os restos do apóstolo Santiago Maior, o rei Afonso II das Astúrias mandou edificar uma igreja dedicada ao culto do apóstolo. Em 872, na época do rei Afonso III, começou a construção da nova basílica de pedra, que substituiu à pequena igreja, e que foi consagrada em 899, com a presença de dezessete bispos, e que se derrubou em 1112, esta primitiva basílica tinha uma nave de 24 metros de longo e arcadas que davam aos laterais e estava decorada com mármore e esculturas. Em 1075 baixo o impulso do bispo Diego Páez e do rei Afonso VI de Castela e Leão começou a construção da catedral românica que se rematou durante o episcopado de Diego Gelmírez (1101-1140). O primeiro que se edificou foram as capelas do deambulatório: A capela do Salvador, a de São Pedro e a de São João. Em 1105 Gelmírez consagrou as capelas de São João Baptista, São Martinho, Santa Cruz e São Martinho. Em 1112 remataram os trabalhos dos braços do cruzeiro. Em 1117 uma revolta dos burgueses da cidade contra Gelmírez afetou à catedral, e a fachada das Pratarias veio-se tocada pelo lume: ainda assim em 1140 estão rematados seis trechos das naves maiores. O resto dos trechos foram concluídos em 1160, após o qual se produziu uma paralise na construção até que, em 1168, o Mestre Mateus ficou como mestre de obras. Nesta altura, ele e sua oficina tornaram-se artífices do Pórtico da Glória e remataram a catedral que, numa celebração solene, consagrou o arcebispo Pedro Muñiz em 21 de abril de 1211. Durante toda a Idade Média a Catedral veio ser a representação material do poder senhorial do Arcebispado Compostelano, sendo o palco de muitos dos feitos mais importantes da história da Galiza. O botafumeiro[7] é um grande incensário de latão banhado em prata, que pesa 62 kg vazio e mede 1,60 m de altura. É o maior do mundo. Numerosas fontes apontam outros pesos, referidos ao incensário cheio de combustível, a modelos anteriores ou a simples erros. O botafumeiro atual pesava 60 kg, mas em 2006 acrescentou-lhe um banho de prata que fez aumentar sua massa até os 62 kg atuais. O atual foi criado pelo ourives Xosé Losada em 1851. A corda que o suspende, atada do cruzeiro da catedral, é na atualidade de um material sintético, mede 65 metros, tem 5 cm de diâmetro e pesa 90 kg. Anteriormente as cordas eram feitas de cânhamo ou de esparto.

La cathédrale de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle est une cathédrale située dans le centre historique de la ville de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle (Galice), but de l'un des plus grands pèlerinages de l'Europe médiévale. En 2009, c'est encore l'un des plus vivants foyers de la dévotion catholique.La cathédrale de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle a été le facteur déterminant pour que la Galice et l'Espagne entre dans les cercles culturels médiévaux grâce au chemin de Saint-Jacques, route initiatique dans laquelle des personnes suivaient le sillage de la Voie lactée. Elle est consacrée à l'apôtre Jacques de Zébédée, saint patron et protecteur de l'Espagne. La Crypte de l’apôtre Saint Jacques le Majeur Elle est et reste le but de tout pèlerin. Elle se trouve sous l’autel majeur de la basilique (au centre), elle a été mise en place au XIXesiècle, après l’authentification des reliques en 1884 par le pape Léon XIII (1810-1878-1903). Elle abrite une châsse en argent exécutée en 1886, qui renferme les vestiges sacrés. Le Sauveur dans sa mandorle, Marie, Salomé et les apôtres, sous arcades, sont figurés en position strictement frontale sur le plus long côté principal. La signature de l’orfèvre, José Losada, apparaît sur le couvercle, où se détachent le Chrisme, l’Alpha et l’Oméga. Elle est inspirée des programmes sculptés de l’ancien devant d’autel, du portail des Orfèvres et du porche de la Gloire D’après le Guide du Pèlerin, «...il est enfermé dans une tombe de marbre qu’abrite un très beau sépulcre voûté d’un travail admirable et de dimension convenable. […] Sur son sépulcre est un autel modeste élevé, dit-on, par ses disciples et que par amour pour l’apôtre et ses disciples, nul par la suite n’a voulu détruire. Et au-dessus se trouve un autre autel grand et admirable.» Le Guide nous apprend aussi que le Christ y était figuré au centre, trônant et entouré des vingt-quatre vieillards de l’Apocalypse. Les Évangélistes et les apôtres étaient également présents. L’ensemble des personnages était entouré d’un décor floral, et des colonnes séparaient les apôtres. Le décor et l’orfèvrerie baroque ont aujourd’hui remplacé la structure romane de la chapelle. La crypte, dans laquelle sont conservées les reliques du saint, a également subi des transformations. En effet, avec le temps, le lieu dans lequel reposait le saint avait fini par être oublié. En 1589, les précieuses reliques avaient été transférées dans un endroit plus sûr que sous l’autel principal, en raison des incursions anglaises et hollandaises. Elles ne furent redécouvertes qu’en janvier 1879, grâce aux travaux de recherche entrepris par l’archevêque Payà, aidé de Lòpez Ferreiro et de Lavìn. Afin de permettre l’accès aux nombreux fidèles, la crypte dans laquelle se trouvaient les reliques fut agrandie.

La cathédrale de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle est une cathédrale située dans le centre historique de la ville de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle (Galice), but de l'un des plus grands pèlerinages de l'Europe médiévale. En 2009, c'est encore l'un des plus vivants foyers de la dévotion catholique.La cathédrale de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle a été le facteur déterminant pour que la Galice et l'Espagne entre dans les cercles culturels médiévaux grâce au chemin de Saint-Jacques, route initiatique dans laquelle des personnes suivaient le sillage de la Voie lactée. Elle est consacrée à l'apôtre Jacques de Zébédée, saint patron et protecteur de l'Espagne. La Crypte de l’apôtre Saint Jacques le Majeur Elle est et reste le but de tout pèlerin. Elle se trouve sous l’autel majeur de la basilique (au centre), elle a été mise en place au XIXesiècle, après l’authentification des reliques en 1884 par le pape Léon XIII (1810-1878-1903). Elle abrite une châsse en argent exécutée en 1886, qui renferme les vestiges sacrés. Le Sauveur dans sa mandorle, Marie, Salomé et les apôtres, sous arcades, sont figurés en position strictement frontale sur le plus long côté principal. La signature de l’orfèvre, José Losada, apparaît sur le couvercle, où se détachent le Chrisme, l’Alpha et l’Oméga. Elle est inspirée des programmes sculptés de l’ancien devant d’autel, du portail des Orfèvres et du porche de la Gloire D’après le Guide du Pèlerin, «...il est enfermé dans une tombe de marbre qu’abrite un très beau sépulcre voûté d’un travail admirable et de dimension convenable. […] Sur son sépulcre est un autel modeste élevé, dit-on, par ses disciples et que par amour pour l’apôtre et ses disciples, nul par la suite n’a voulu détruire. Et au-dessus se trouve un autre autel grand et admirable.» Le Guide nous apprend aussi que le Christ y était figuré au centre, trônant et entouré des vingt-quatre vieillards de l’Apocalypse. Les Évangélistes et les apôtres étaient également présents. L’ensemble des personnages était entouré d’un décor floral, et des colonnes séparaient les apôtres. Le décor et l’orfèvrerie baroque ont aujourd’hui remplacé la structure romane de la chapelle. La crypte, dans laquelle sont conservées les reliques du saint, a également subi des transformations. En effet, avec le temps, le lieu dans lequel reposait le saint avait fini par être oublié. En 1589, les précieuses reliques avaient été transférées dans un endroit plus sûr que sous l’autel principal, en raison des incursions anglaises et hollandaises. Elles ne furent redécouvertes qu’en janvier 1879, grâce aux travaux de recherche entrepris par l’archevêque Payà, aidé de Lòpez Ferreiro et de Lavìn. Afin de permettre l’accès aux nombreux fidèles, la crypte dans laquelle se trouvaient les reliques fut agrandie.

La basilica cattedrale metropolitana di San Giacomo di Compostela, o più semplicemente cattedrale di San Giacomo di Compostela (catedral de Santiago de Compostela, in lingua gallega) è la chiesa madre dell'arcidiocesi di Santiago di Compostela e uno dei massimi santuari cattolici del mondo; al suo interno, nella cripta, i fedeli venerano le reliquie dell'apostolo Santiago o Maior/el Mayor (san Giacomo il Maggiore), patrono di Spagna. La cattedrale di Santiago è la meta del Cammino di Santiago di Compostela, storico pellegrinaggio di origine medievale. Dato che per il 2010 si aspettano molti più pellegrini del solito, sono in corso nella cattedrale importanti lavori di restauro. Cenni storici Secondo la leggenda, il corpo dell'apostolo Giacomo il Maggiore fu rinvenuto nel IX secolo, nell'area dove sorge la cattedrale. Una prima chiesa intitolata a san Giacomo venne qui costruita all'inizio del IX secolo, per volere di Alfonso II delle Asturie. Successivamente, nell'899, sotto re Alfonso III, la prima chiesa fu rimpiazzata da un'altra più grande, in stile protoromanico. Nel 997, durante il saccheggio della città di Santiago de Compostela da parte dei berberi comandati da Almanzor, la chiesa protoromanica venne incendiata e le sue porte e campane fatte trasportare, dagli schiavi cristiani, alla Grande moschea di Cordoba. Nel 1095 il papa Urbano II decreta il trasferimento della sede vescovile di Iria Flavia, l'attuale Padrón, a Santiago de Compostela. L'inizio dei lavori dell'attuale cattedrale risale al 1075. Il tempio, in stile romanico, venne completato nel XIII secolo e consacrato nel 1211, alla presenza del re Alfonso IX di León. Si tratta di di uno degli edifici che meglio rappresenta il tipo di chiesa romanica che scandisce il cammino di Santiago di Compostela tra Francia e Spagna (Sainte-Foy di Conques, Saint-Martial de Limoges, San Martino di Tours e Saint-Sernin a Tolosa), caratterizzato dall'abside con cappelle radiali e deambulatorio. Subì modifiche tra XVI e XVIII secolo.

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (Galician: Catedral de Santiago de Compostela) is a Roman Catholic church in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The cathedral is the burial-place of Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. It is the destination of the Way of St. James (popularly known by its local denominations: Galician: Camiño de Santiago, Portuguese: Caminho de Santiago, Spanish: Camino de Santiago, French: Chemin de St. Jacques, German: Jakobsweg), a major historical pilgrimage route since the Middle Ages. History According to legend, the apostle Saint James the Greater brought Christianity to the Celts in the Iberian Peninsula. In 44 AD he was beheaded in Jerusalem. His remains were later brought back to Galicia, Spain. Following Roman persecutions of Spanish Christians, his tomb was abandoned in the 3rd century. Still according to legend, this tomb was rediscovered in 814 AD by the hermit Pelayo, after witnessing strange lights in the night sky. Bishop Theodemir of Iria recognized this as a miracle and informed king Alfonso II of Asturias and Galicia (791-842). The king ordered the construction of a chapel on the site. Legend has it that the king became the first pilgrim to this shrine. This was followed by a first church in 829 AD and again in 899 AD by a pre-Romanesque church, at the order of king Alfonso III of León, causing the gradual development of a major place of pilgrimage. In 997 this early church was reduced to ashes by Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir (938-1002), army commander of the caliph of Córdoba, Spain. The gates and the bells, carried by Christian captives to Córdoba, were added to the Aljama Mosque. When Córdoba was taken by king Ferdinand III of Castile in 1236, these same gates and bells were then transported by Muslim captives to Toledo, to be inserted in the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo. Construction of the present cathedral began in 1075 under the reign of Alfonso VI of Castile (1040-1109) and the patronage of bishop Diego Peláez. It was built according to the same plan as the monastic brick church of Saint Sernin in Toulouse, probably the greatest Romanesque edifice in France. It was built mostly in granite. Construction was halted several times and, according to the Liber Sancti Iacobi, the last stone was laid in 1122. But by then, the construction of the cathedral was certainly not finished. The cathedral was consecrated in 1128 in the presence of king Alfonso IX of Leon. According to the Codex Calixtinus the architects were "Bernard the elder, a wonderful master", his assistant Robertus Galperinus and, later possibly, "Esteban, master of the cathedral works". In the last stage "Bernard, the younger" was finishing the building, while Galperinus was in charge of the coordination. He also constructed a monumental fountain in front of the north portal in 1122. The church became an episcopal see in 1075 and, due to its growing importance as a place of pilgrimage, it was soon raised to an archiepiscopal see by pope Urban II in 1100. A university was added in 1495. The cathedral has been embellished and expanded between the 16th and the 18th century. Façades Statues of David and Solomon on the flight of steps At the front of the cathedral, a golden mollusc shell adorns the altar. A steady stream of pilgrims still queue there to kiss the shell, as another sign of homage. Western façade The western façade (or Fachada da Praza do Obradoiro) is flanked by two medieval towers, 76 m high. The left tower (Torre da Carraca) shows a statue of Zebedee, father of St. James; the right tower (Torre das Campás) shows the statue of Maria salome, his mother. The façade was built in Late Baroque style (the Churrigueresque style) by Fernando Casas y Nóvoa between 1738 and 1750. The gable in the centre shows a statue of St. James the Great, with below his two disciples Athanasius and Theodomir, dressed as pilgrims. They are flanking a representation of the tomb of St. James, with above the star that led to its discovery. Top gable of the western façade The cathedral's facade gains from forming part of an extended architectural composition on the Praza do Obradoiro (lit. Workshop Square), a grand square surrounded by public buildings. The ground rises to the cathedral, which is reached by a magnificent quadruple flight of steps, flanked by statues of David and Solomon. Access to the staircase is through some fine wrought-iron gates, and in the centre, on the level of the Plaza, is the entrance to a Romanesque chapel, the Igrexa Baixa ("Lower Church"), constructed under the portico and contemporary with the cathedral. To the north and south, and in a line with the west front, are dependent buildings of the 18th century, grouping well with it. Those to the south contain a light and elegant arcade to the upper windows, and serve as a screen to the late Gothic cloisters, built in 1533 by Fonseca, afterwards Archbishop of Toledo. They are said to be the largest in Spain. The north side of the …

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (Galician: Catedral de Santiago de Compostela) is a Roman Catholic church in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The cathedral is the burial-place of Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. It is the destination of the Way of St. James (popularly known by its local denominations: Galician: Camiño de Santiago, Portuguese: Caminho de Santiago, Spanish: Camino de Santiago, French: Chemin de St. Jacques, German: Jakobsweg), a major historical pilgrimage route since the Middle Ages. History According to legend, the apostle Saint James the Greater brought Christianity to the Celts in the Iberian Peninsula. In 44 AD he was beheaded in Jerusalem. His remains were later brought back to Galicia, Spain. Following Roman persecutions of Spanish Christians, his tomb was abandoned in the 3rd century. Still according to legend, this tomb was rediscovered in 814 AD by the hermit Pelayo, after witnessing strange lights in the night sky. Bishop Theodemir of Iria recognized this as a miracle and informed king Alfonso II of Asturias and Galicia (791-842). The king ordered the construction of a chapel on the site. Legend has it that the king became the first pilgrim to this shrine. This was followed by a first church in 829 AD and again in 899 AD by a pre-Romanesque church, at the order of king Alfonso III of León, causing the gradual development of a major place of pilgrimage. In 997 this early church was reduced to ashes by Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir (938-1002), army commander of the caliph of Córdoba, Spain. The gates and the bells, carried by Christian captives to Córdoba, were added to the Aljama Mosque. When Córdoba was taken by king Ferdinand III of Castile in 1236, these same gates and bells were then transported by Muslim captives to Toledo, to be inserted in the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo. Construction of the present cathedral began in 1075 under the reign of Alfonso VI of Castile (1040-1109) and the patronage of bishop Diego Peláez. It was built according to the same plan as the monastic brick church of Saint Sernin in Toulouse, probably the greatest Romanesque edifice in France. It was built mostly in granite. Construction was halted several times and, according to the Liber Sancti Iacobi, the last stone was laid in 1122. But by then, the construction of the cathedral was certainly not finished. The cathedral was consecrated in 1128 in the presence of king Alfonso IX of Leon. According to the Codex Calixtinus the architects were "Bernard the elder, a wonderful master", his assistant Robertus Galperinus and, later possibly, "Esteban, master of the cathedral works". In the last stage "Bernard, the younger" was finishing the building, while Galperinus was in charge of the coordination. He also constructed a monumental fountain in front of the north portal in 1122. The church became an episcopal see in 1075 and, due to its growing importance as a place of pilgrimage, it was soon raised to an archiepiscopal see by pope Urban II in 1100. A university was added in 1495. The cathedral has been embellished and expanded between the 16th and the 18th century. Façades Statues of David and Solomon on the flight of steps At the front of the cathedral, a golden mollusc shell adorns the altar. A steady stream of pilgrims still queue there to kiss the shell, as another sign of homage. Western façade The western façade (or Fachada da Praza do Obradoiro) is flanked by two medieval towers, 76 m high. The left tower (Torre da Carraca) shows a statue of Zebedee, father of St. James; the right tower (Torre das Campás) shows the statue of Maria salome, his mother. The façade was built in Late Baroque style (the Churrigueresque style) by Fernando Casas y Nóvoa between 1738 and 1750. The gable in the centre shows a statue of St. James the Great, with below his two disciples Athanasius and Theodomir, dressed as pilgrims. They are flanking a representation of the tomb of St. James, with above the star that led to its discovery. Top gable of the western façade The cathedral's facade gains from forming part of an extended architectural composition on the Praza do Obradoiro (lit. Workshop Square), a grand square surrounded by public buildings. The ground rises to the cathedral, which is reached by a magnificent quadruple flight of steps, flanked by statues of David and Solomon. Access to the staircase is through some fine wrought-iron gates, and in the centre, on the level of the Plaza, is the entrance to a Romanesque chapel, the Igrexa Baixa ("Lower Church"), constructed under the portico and contemporary with the cathedral. To the north and south, and in a line with the west front, are dependent buildings of the 18th century, grouping well with it. Those to the south contain a light and elegant arcade to the upper windows, and serve as a screen to the late Gothic cloisters, built in 1533 by Fonseca, afterwards Archbishop of Toledo. They are said to be the largest in Spain. The north side of the …

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (Galician: Catedral de Santiago de Compostela) is a Roman Catholic church in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The cathedral is the burial-place of Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. It is the destination of the Way of St. James (popularly known by its local denominations: Galician: Camiño de Santiago, Portuguese: Caminho de Santiago, Spanish: Camino de Santiago, French: Chemin de St. Jacques, German: Jakobsweg), a major historical pilgrimage route since the Middle Ages. History According to legend, the apostle Saint James the Greater brought Christianity to the Celts in the Iberian Peninsula. In 44 AD he was beheaded in Jerusalem. His remains were later brought back to Galicia, Spain. Following Roman persecutions of Spanish Christians, his tomb was abandoned in the 3rd century. Still according to legend, this tomb was rediscovered in 814 AD by the hermit Pelayo, after witnessing strange lights in the night sky. Bishop Theodemir of Iria recognized this as a miracle and informed king Alfonso II of Asturias and Galicia (791-842). The king ordered the construction of a chapel on the site. Legend has it that the king became the first pilgrim to this shrine. This was followed by a first church in 829 AD and again in 899 AD by a pre-Romanesque church, at the order of king Alfonso III of León, causing the gradual development of a major place of pilgrimage. In 997 this early church was reduced to ashes by Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir (938-1002), army commander of the caliph of Córdoba, Spain. The gates and the bells, carried by Christian captives to Córdoba, were added to the Aljama Mosque. When Córdoba was taken by king Ferdinand III of Castile in 1236, these same gates and bells were then transported by Muslim captives to Toledo, to be inserted in the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo. Construction of the present cathedral began in 1075 under the reign of Alfonso VI of Castile (1040-1109) and the patronage of bishop Diego Peláez. It was built according to the same plan as the monastic brick church of Saint Sernin in Toulouse, probably the greatest Romanesque edifice in France. It was built mostly in granite. Construction was halted several times and, according to the Liber Sancti Iacobi, the last stone was laid in 1122. But by then, the construction of the cathedral was certainly not finished. The cathedral was consecrated in 1128 in the presence of king Alfonso IX of Leon. According to the Codex Calixtinus the architects were "Bernard the elder, a wonderful master", his assistant Robertus Galperinus and, later possibly, "Esteban, master of the cathedral works". In the last stage "Bernard, the younger" was finishing the building, while Galperinus was in charge of the coordination. He also constructed a monumental fountain in front of the north portal in 1122. The church became an episcopal see in 1075 and, due to its growing importance as a place of pilgrimage, it was soon raised to an archiepiscopal see by pope Urban II in 1100. A university was added in 1495. The cathedral has been embellished and expanded between the 16th and the 18th century. Façades Statues of David and Solomon on the flight of steps At the front of the cathedral, a golden mollusc shell adorns the altar. A steady stream of pilgrims still queue there to kiss the shell, as another sign of homage. Western façade The western façade (or Fachada da Praza do Obradoiro) is flanked by two medieval towers, 76 m high. The left tower (Torre da Carraca) shows a statue of Zebedee, father of St. James; the right tower (Torre das Campás) shows the statue of Maria salome, his mother. The façade was built in Late Baroque style (the Churrigueresque style) by Fernando Casas y Nóvoa between 1738 and 1750. The gable in the centre shows a statue of St. James the Great, with below his two disciples Athanasius and Theodomir, dressed as pilgrims. They are flanking a representation of the tomb of St. James, with above the star that led to its discovery. Top gable of the western façade The cathedral's facade gains from forming part of an extended architectural composition on the Praza do Obradoiro (lit. Workshop Square), a grand square surrounded by public buildings. The ground rises to the cathedral, which is reached by a magnificent quadruple flight of steps, flanked by statues of David and Solomon. Access to the staircase is through some fine wrought-iron gates, and in the centre, on the level of the Plaza, is the entrance to a Romanesque chapel, the Igrexa Baixa ("Lower Church"), constructed under the portico and contemporary with the cathedral. To the north and south, and in a line with the west front, are dependent buildings of the 18th century, grouping well with it. Those to the south contain a light and elegant arcade to the upper windows, and serve as a screen to the late Gothic cloisters, built in 1533 by Fonseca, afterwards Archbishop of Toledo. They are said to be the largest in Spain. The north side of the …

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (Galician: Catedral de Santiago de Compostela) is a Roman Catholic church in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The cathedral is the burial-place of Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. It is the destination of the Way of St. James (popularly known by its local denominations: Galician: Camiño de Santiago, Portuguese: Caminho de Santiago, Spanish: Camino de Santiago, French: Chemin de St. Jacques, German: Jakobsweg), a major historical pilgrimage route since the Middle Ages. History According to legend, the apostle Saint James the Greater brought Christianity to the Celts in the Iberian Peninsula. In 44 AD he was beheaded in Jerusalem. His remains were later brought back to Galicia, Spain. Following Roman persecutions of Spanish Christians, his tomb was abandoned in the 3rd century. Still according to legend, this tomb was rediscovered in 814 AD by the hermit Pelayo, after witnessing strange lights in the night sky. Bishop Theodemir of Iria recognized this as a miracle and informed king Alfonso II of Asturias and Galicia (791-842). The king ordered the construction of a chapel on the site. Legend has it that the king became the first pilgrim to this shrine. This was followed by a first church in 829 AD and again in 899 AD by a pre-Romanesque church, at the order of king Alfonso III of León, causing the gradual development of a major place of pilgrimage. In 997 this early church was reduced to ashes by Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir (938-1002), army commander of the caliph of Córdoba, Spain. The gates and the bells, carried by Christian captives to Córdoba, were added to the Aljama Mosque. When Córdoba was taken by king Ferdinand III of Castile in 1236, these same gates and bells were then transported by Muslim captives to Toledo, to be inserted in the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo. Construction of the present cathedral began in 1075 under the reign of Alfonso VI of Castile (1040-1109) and the patronage of bishop Diego Peláez. It was built according to the same plan as the monastic brick church of Saint Sernin in Toulouse, probably the greatest Romanesque edifice in France. It was built mostly in granite. Construction was halted several times and, according to the Liber Sancti Iacobi, the last stone was laid in 1122. But by then, the construction of the cathedral was certainly not finished. The cathedral was consecrated in 1128 in the presence of king Alfonso IX of Leon. According to the Codex Calixtinus the architects were "Bernard the elder, a wonderful master", his assistant Robertus Galperinus and, later possibly, "Esteban, master of the cathedral works". In the last stage "Bernard, the younger" was finishing the building, while Galperinus was in charge of the coordination. He also constructed a monumental fountain in front of the north portal in 1122. The church became an episcopal see in 1075 and, due to its growing importance as a place of pilgrimage, it was soon raised to an archiepiscopal see by pope Urban II in 1100. A university was added in 1495. The cathedral has been embellished and expanded between the 16th and the 18th century. Façades Statues of David and Solomon on the flight of steps At the front of the cathedral, a golden mollusc shell adorns the altar. A steady stream of pilgrims still queue there to kiss the shell, as another sign of homage. Western façade The western façade (or Fachada da Praza do Obradoiro) is flanked by two medieval towers, 76 m high. The left tower (Torre da Carraca) shows a statue of Zebedee, father of St. James; the right tower (Torre das Campás) shows the statue of Maria salome, his mother. The façade was built in Late Baroque style (the Churrigueresque style) by Fernando Casas y Nóvoa between 1738 and 1750. The gable in the centre shows a statue of St. James the Great, with below his two disciples Athanasius and Theodomir, dressed as pilgrims. They are flanking a representation of the tomb of St. James, with above the star that led to its discovery. Top gable of the western façade The cathedral's facade gains from forming part of an extended architectural composition on the Praza do Obradoiro (lit. Workshop Square), a grand square surrounded by public buildings. The ground rises to the cathedral, which is reached by a magnificent quadruple flight of steps, flanked by statues of David and Solomon. Access to the staircase is through some fine wrought-iron gates, and in the centre, on the level of the Plaza, is the entrance to a Romanesque chapel, the Igrexa Baixa ("Lower Church"), constructed under the portico and contemporary with the cathedral. To the north and south, and in a line with the west front, are dependent buildings of the 18th century, grouping well with it. Those to the south contain a light and elegant arcade to the upper windows, and serve as a screen to the late Gothic cloisters, built in 1533 by Fonseca, afterwards Archbishop of Toledo. They are said to be the largest in Spain. The north side of the …

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (Galician: Catedral de Santiago de Compostela) is a Roman Catholic church in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The cathedral is the burial-place of Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. It is the destination of the Way of St. James (popularly known by its local denominations: Galician: Camiño de Santiago, Portuguese: Caminho de Santiago, Spanish: Camino de Santiago, French: Chemin de St. Jacques, German: Jakobsweg), a major historical pilgrimage route since the Middle Ages. History According to legend, the apostle Saint James the Greater brought Christianity to the Celts in the Iberian Peninsula. In 44 AD he was beheaded in Jerusalem. His remains were later brought back to Galicia, Spain. Following Roman persecutions of Spanish Christians, his tomb was abandoned in the 3rd century. Still according to legend, this tomb was rediscovered in 814 AD by the hermit Pelayo, after witnessing strange lights in the night sky. Bishop Theodemir of Iria recognized this as a miracle and informed king Alfonso II of Asturias and Galicia (791-842). The king ordered the construction of a chapel on the site. Legend has it that the king became the first pilgrim to this shrine. This was followed by a first church in 829 AD and again in 899 AD by a pre-Romanesque church, at the order of king Alfonso III of León, causing the gradual development of a major place of pilgrimage. In 997 this early church was reduced to ashes by Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir (938-1002), army commander of the caliph of Córdoba, Spain. The gates and the bells, carried by Christian captives to Córdoba, were added to the Aljama Mosque. When Córdoba was taken by king Ferdinand III of Castile in 1236, these same gates and bells were then transported by Muslim captives to Toledo, to be inserted in the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo. Construction of the present cathedral began in 1075 under the reign of Alfonso VI of Castile (1040-1109) and the patronage of bishop Diego Peláez. It was built according to the same plan as the monastic brick church of Saint Sernin in Toulouse, probably the greatest Romanesque edifice in France. It was built mostly in granite. Construction was halted several times and, according to the Liber Sancti Iacobi, the last stone was laid in 1122. But by then, the construction of the cathedral was certainly not finished. The cathedral was consecrated in 1128 in the presence of king Alfonso IX of Leon. According to the Codex Calixtinus the architects were "Bernard the elder, a wonderful master", his assistant Robertus Galperinus and, later possibly, "Esteban, master of the cathedral works". In the last stage "Bernard, the younger" was finishing the building, while Galperinus was in charge of the coordination. He also constructed a monumental fountain in front of the north portal in 1122. The church became an episcopal see in 1075 and, due to its growing importance as a place of pilgrimage, it was soon raised to an archiepiscopal see by pope Urban II in 1100. A university was added in 1495. The cathedral has been embellished and expanded between the 16th and the 18th century. Façades Statues of David and Solomon on the flight of steps At the front of the cathedral, a golden mollusc shell adorns the altar. A steady stream of pilgrims still queue there to kiss the shell, as another sign of homage. Western façade The western façade (or Fachada da Praza do Obradoiro) is flanked by two medieval towers, 76 m high. The left tower (Torre da Carraca) shows a statue of Zebedee, father of St. James; the right tower (Torre das Campás) shows the statue of Maria salome, his mother. The façade was built in Late Baroque style (the Churrigueresque style) by Fernando Casas y Nóvoa between 1738 and 1750. The gable in the centre shows a statue of St. James the Great, with below his two disciples Athanasius and Theodomir, dressed as pilgrims. They are flanking a representation of the tomb of St. James, with above the star that led to its discovery. Top gable of the western façade The cathedral's facade gains from forming part of an extended architectural composition on the Praza do Obradoiro (lit. Workshop Square), a grand square surrounded by public buildings. The ground rises to the cathedral, which is reached by a magnificent quadruple flight of steps, flanked by statues of David and Solomon. Access to the staircase is through some fine wrought-iron gates, and in the centre, on the level of the Plaza, is the entrance to a Romanesque chapel, the Igrexa Baixa ("Lower Church"), constructed under the portico and contemporary with the cathedral. To the north and south, and in a line with the west front, are dependent buildings of the 18th century, grouping well with it. Those to the south contain a light and elegant arcade to the upper windows, and serve as a screen to the late Gothic cloisters, built in 1533 by Fonseca, afterwards Archbishop of Toledo. They are said to be the largest in Spain. The north side of the …