Page 70 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

68  NOR THERN SP AIN REGION B Y REGION

building contrasts with its
lavish interior. On the ground
floor is the Weapons Chamber.
From the patio, stairs lead up to
the cross-vaulted refectory with
its magnificent reliefs depicting
life in the Middle Ages.
+ Pazo de Raxoi
Praza do Obradoiro.
Closed to the public.
Initially, this 18th-century
The two-level Praza Quintana behind the cathedral palace was a residence for
students of the seminary
Exploring Santiago de with wrought-iron grilles. and choirboys; since 1970 it
Compostela The Baroque Casa de la has served as the town hall.
The centre of Santiago is a Parra, decorated with plant The palace was built on
pedestrianized zone. The ornaments, is also here. the former city walls, and the
most important monuments master-mason was Charles
are found in the vicinity of E Cathedral Museum Lemaur. A curiosity here is
the Praza do Obradoiro. Praza do Obradoiro. Tel 902 55 78 12. the extraordinary variation
Open Apr–Oct: 9am–8pm daily; in the height of the land on
P Praza do Obradoiro Nov–Mar: 10am–8pm daily. & 8 which the building stands.
This huge square is the focal The museum’s rich collections The long arcaded façade is
point for arriving pilgrims. cover religion as well as the supported on Ionic columns.
On the square’s eastern side cathedral itself. Preserved in A figure of St James designed
rises the cathedral’s famous the library are incunabula, by J. Ferreira is visible on
Baroque façade; to the west manuscripts and two examples the roof. The interior of the
is the Pazo de Raxoi; to the of a giant censer known as building is noted for its
north the Hostal de los Reyes the botafumeiro. You can also Rococo staircase.
Católicos (today an exclusive see the cathedral cloisters,
parador); and to the south the medieval reliquaries and old
Colexio de San Jerónimo. ornaments, which were taken
down during con struction
R Convento de San of the new façade.
Francisco
Rúa Campiño de San Francisco 3. E Pazo de Xelmírez
Tel 981 58 16 34. Praza do Obradoiro (part of Cathedral
The founding of the monastery Museum, above). Open Apr–Oct:
of San Francisco de Valdediós 9am–8pm daily; Nov–Mar:10am–8pm
is traditionally ascribed to daily. &
St Francis of Assisi, who came Dating from the 12th–13th
to Santiago in 1214. All that centuries, this building is
remains of the original struc ture the most important work The late-Romanesque portal of the Colexio
are Gothic arches in the cloister of secular Romanesque de San Xerome
and the tomb of the master architecture in Galicia. Built
mason Cotolay. The current as the Arch bishop’s Palace, E Colexio de San Xerome
buildings date from the 18th it continues to fill this role. Throughout its history, the
century. In the atrium is a The severe appear ance of the Colexio de San Xerome has
cruceiro (stone cross) dedicated served many purposes: hospital,
to St Francis. The monastery grammar school, art school, and
now houses a hotel. later a hostel for poor students.
Today, it accommodates the
P Praza Quintana chancellor of the University
Situated behind the cathedral, of Santiago de Compostela.
at the foot of a Baroque clock Preserved from the earlier,
tower called the Berenguela, 15th-century building is a late
is this elegant square divided Romanesque portal, richly
into two sections by steps. decorated with figures of the
One side of the square is Virgin and Child surrounded
occupied by the monastery by saints. The structure you
of San Paio de Antealtares, see today, dating from the
with its impos ing façade Buildings of the Pazo de Xelmírez, housing 17th century, has an inner
sporting a row of windows the Archbishop’s Palace courtyard with a fountain.
For hotels and restaurants see p204 and pp216–17

068-069__cat_.indd 68 13/09/16 5:27 pm