Page 66 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

64  NOR THERN SP AIN REGION B Y REGION

w Street-by-Street: Santiago de Compostela

In the Middle Ages Santiago de Compostela was Christendom’s third
most important place of pilgrimage, after Jerusalem and Rome. Around
the Praza do Obradoiro is an ensemble of historic buildings that has
few equals in Europe. The local granite gives a harmonious unity to the
mixture of archi tectural styles. With its narrow streets and old squares,
the city centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Of its many
monuments, two are especially worth seeking out – the Convento de
Santo Domingo de Bonaval, to the east of the centre, and the Colegiata
Santa María la Real del Sar, a 12th-century Romanesque church located
to the east of the city. R Ú A D E X E R U S A L É N

. Convento de San R Ú A D A T R O I A
Martiño Pinario
The Baroque church of
this monastery has a
huge double altar and
an ornate façade in
the Plateresque style, V Í A S A C R A
with carved figures of
saints and bishops.

I N M A C U L A D A
P R A Z A D A

Pazo de Xelmírez (1120-49)
R U E L A D O V A L D E D E U S
is a beautiful palace with R Ú A D E S A N F R A N C I S C O
Romanesque features and
spectacular views from
the roof terrace.

PR A Z A DO
OBR ADOIRO

. Hostal de los Reyes Católicos
Built by the Catholic Monarchs
as an inn and hospital for sick
pilgrims, and now a parador, this
magnificent building has an
elaborate Plateresque doorway.

Praza do Obradoiro
This majestic square is one
of the world’s finest and The Pazo de Raxoi,
the focal point for pilgrims with its Neo-Classical
arriving in the city. The façade, was built in
cathedral’s Baroque façade 1772 and houses the
dominates the square. town hall.
For hotels and restaurants see p204 and pp216–17

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