Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

Last updated
Metropolitan Archcathedral Basilica of Santiago de Compostela
Santiago cathedral 2021.jpg
The western façade of the Metropolitan Archcathedral Basilica as seen from the Praza do Obradoiro
Religion
Affiliation Catholic
District Santiago de Compostela
Rite Roman Rite
Leadership Archbishop Francisco José Prieto Fernández
Location
Location Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
Spain location map with provinces.svg
Red pog.svg
Shown within Spain
Spain Galicia location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (Galicia)
Geographic coordinates 42°52′50″N08°32′40″W / 42.88056°N 8.54444°W / 42.88056; -8.54444
Architecture
TypeMetropolitan Archcathedral-Basilica
Style Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque
Groundbreaking1075
Completed1211
Specifications
Direction of façade West
Capacity1,200
Length100 m (330 ft)
Width70 m (230 ft)
Height (max)75 m (246 ft)
Spire(s)2
Official name: Santiago de Compostela (Old Town)
Criteriai, ii, vi
Designated1985 [1]
Reference no.320bis
Official name: Catedral Igrexa Catedral Metropolitana
Designated22 August 1896
Reference no.(R.I.) - 51 - 0000072 - 00000 [2]
Website
catedraldesantiago.es

The Santiago de Compostela Arch cathedral Basilica (Spanish and Galician: Catedral Basilica de Santiago de Compostela) is part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela and is an integral component of the Santiago de Compostela World Heritage Site in Galicia, Spain. The cathedral is the reputed burial place of Saint James the Great, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. It is also among the remaining churches in the world built over the tomb of an apostle, the other ones being St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, St Thomas Cathedral Basilica in Chennai, India and Basilica of St. John in Izmir, Turkey.

Contents

The archcathedral basilica has historically been a place of pilgrimage on the Way of St James since the Early Middle Ages and marks the traditional end of the pilgrimage route. The building is a Romanesque structure, with later Gothic and Baroque additions.

History

According to the legend, the apostle Saint James the Great brought Christianity to the Iberian Peninsula. [3] [4] However, in Acts 12 it is written that James was killed on order of Herod in Jerusalem.

According to legend, the tomb in Santiago was rediscovered in AD 814 by Pelagius the Hermit, after he witnessed strange lights in the night sky above the Libredon forest. Bishop Theodomirus 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 was the first pilgrim to this shrine. This was followed by the first church in AD 829 and then in AD 899 by a pre-Romanesque church, ordered by king Alfonso III of León, [5] which caused the gradual development of this major place of pilgrimage. [6]

In 997 the early church was reduced to ashes by Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir (938–1002), army commander of the caliph of Córdoba. St James' tomb and relics were left undisturbed. The gates and the bells, carried by local Christian captives to Córdoba, were added to the Aljama Mosque. [7] 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.[ according to whom? ] 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 1211 in the presence of king Alfonso IX of Leon. [8] [9]

According to the Codex Calixtinus the architects were "Bernard the elder, a wonderful master", his assistants 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 city became an episcopal see in 1075 and the church its cathedral. Due to its growing importance as a place of pilgrimage, it was raised to an archiepiscopal see by Pope Callixtus II in 1120. A university was added in 1495.[ citation needed ]

It has been proposed that the peculiar lantern towers of several churches in the Duero valley (Zamora, Plasencia, Toro, Évora) were inspired by the Romanesque dome of Santiago, substituted by a Gothic one in the 15th century. [10] The cathedral was expanded and embellished with additions in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Exterior of the cathedral

Overview of the cathedral complex Santiago Compostela Cathedral 2023 - View from Alameda Park.jpg
Overview of the cathedral complex

Each of the façades along with their adjoining squares constitute a large urban square. The Baroque façade of the Praza do Obradoiro square was completed by Fernando de Casas Novoa in 1740. Also in baroque style is the Acibecharía façade by Ferro Caaveiro and Fernández Sarela, later modified by Ventura Rodríguez. The Pratarías façade, built by the Master Esteban in 1103, and most importantly the Pórtico da Gloria, an early work of Romanesque sculpture, were completed by Master Mateo in 1188.

Façade of the Obradoiro

The facade at dusk Santiago Compostela Cathedral 2023 - Obradoiro at Dusk.jpg
The façade at dusk
Saint James dressed as a pilgrim on the facade Santiago-Cathedral-St-James.jpg
Saint James dressed as a pilgrim on the façade

The Obradoiro square in front of the façade alludes to the workshop (Galician : obradoiro) of stonemasons who worked on the square during the construction of the cathedral. In order to protect the Pórtico da Gloria from deterioration caused by weather, this façade and towers have had several reforms since the 16th century. In the 18th century it was decided to build the current Baroque façade, designed by Fernando de Casas Novoa. It has large glazed windows that illuminate the ancient Romanesque façade, located between the towers of the Bells and of the Ratchet. In the middle of the central body is St. James and one level below his two disciples Athanasius and Theodore, all dressed as pilgrims. In between, the urn (representing the found tomb) and the star (representing the lights Hermit Pelagius saw) between angels and clouds. The tower on the right depicts Mary Salome, mother of St. James, and the tower on the left depicts his father Zebedee. The balustrade on the left side depicts St. Susanna and St. John and the one on the right depicts St. Barbara and James the Less. [11]

A stair allows entrance to the façade. The stair was made in the 17th century by Ginés Martínez and it is of Renaissance style inspired by Giacomo Vignola of Palazzo Farnese. It is diamond-shaped with two ramps that surround the entrance to the old 12th century Romanesque crypt of the Master Mateo, popularly called the "Old Cathedral". [12]

Between the existing plane of the façade of the Obradoiro and the old Romanesque portal (Pórtico da Gloria) there is a covered narthex.

This façade has become a symbol of the cathedral and the city of Santiago de Compostela. As such, it is the engraving on the back of the Spanish euro coins of 1, 2 and 5 cents.

South façade or das Pratarías

The square of the Romanesque facade das Pratarias, this facade keep the trace of its second church, which was built between 1103 and 1117. Santiago Compostela Cathedral 2023 - Praterias.jpg
The square of the Romanesque façade das Pratarías, this façade keep the trace of its second church, which was built between 1103 and 1117.

The façade of the Silverware (Pratarías in Galician) is the southern façade of the transept of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela; it is the only Romanesque façade that is preserved in the cathedral. It was built between 1103 and 1117 and elements from other parts of the cathedral have been added in subsequent years. [13] The square is bound by the cathedral and cloister on two sides. Next to the cathedral is the Casa do Cabido.

It has two entrance doors in degradation with archivolts and historical tympanums. The archivolts are attached over eleven columns, three are of white marble (middle and corners) and the rest of granite. In the center are the figures of twelve prophets and the Apostles on the sideline. On the tympanums is a large frieze separated from the upper body by a strip supported by grotesque corbels; on this floor are two windows decorated with Romanesque archivolts. [13]

In the central frieze is Christ, with various characters and scenes. On the right six figures belong to the Stone choir of Master Mateo  [ es ] that were placed in the late 19th century. The original provision of the iconographic elements was invalidated since in the 18th century numerous images were introduced recovered from the dismantled Acibecharía façade. [14] A central medallion shows the Eternal Father (or Transfiguration) with open hands and on the top surface there are four angels with trumpets heralding the Final Judgment. [13]

In the tympanum of the left door is Christ tempted by a group of demons. To the right is a half-dressed woman with a skull in her hands, which could be Eve or the adulterous woman. This figure is not praying on her knees but is sitting on two lions. The jambs are Saint Andrew and Moses. In the left abutment, the Biblical King David seated on his throne with his legs crossed, translucent through the thin fabric of his clothes, and playing what appears to be a rebec, personifies the triumph over evil and is an outstanding Romanesque work, sculpted by Master Esteban. The creation of Adam and Christ's blessing is also shown. Many of these figures come from the Romanesque façade of the north or do Paraíso (current façade of the Acibecharía) and were placed on this façade in the 18th century. [13] [15]

In the tympanum of the right door there are several scenes from the Passion of Christ and the Adoration of the Magi. In one of the jambs is the inscription commemorating the laying of the stone:

ERA / IC / XVI / V IDUS / JULLII

Registration follows the Roman calendar, according to the computation of the Spanish era, corresponding to July 11, 1078. An image, unidentified, of a fox eating a rabbit and, against this, a badly dressed woman with an animal in her lap. Supported on the wall of the tower Berenguela appear other images representing the creation of Eve, Christ on a throne, and the Binding of Isaac. [13]

North façade or da Acibecharía

Facade da Acibecharia Santiago Compostela Cathedral 2023 - Acibecheria Facade.jpg
Façade da Acibecharía

The façade "da Acibecharía" (Galician name derived from the jet gemstone) is in the Praza da Inmaculada or Acibecharía, draining the last section of urban roads: French, Primitive, Northern and English through the old gate Franxígena or Paradise door. The Romanesque portal was built in 1122 by Bernardo, treasurer of the temple. This portal was demolished after suffering a fire in 1758; some sculptural pieces that were saved were placed on the façade das Pratarías. The new façade was designed in Baroque style by Lucas Ferro Caaveiro and finished by Domingo Lois Monteagudo and Clemente Fernández Sarela in the neoclassical style in 1769, although it retained some traces of the baroque. [16]

At the top of the façade is an 18th-century statue of St. James, with two kings in prayer at his feet: Alfonso III of Asturias and Ordoño II of León. In the centre is the statue of Faith. [17] [18]

East façade or da Quintana

Porta Real Vista de la PuertaReal de Santiago de Compostela.jpg
Porta Real

The façade of the cathedral that overlooks the Plaza de la Quintana has two gates: the Porta Real (royal gate) and the Porta Santa (holy gate). The construction of the Porta Real, baroque, was begun under the direction of José de Vega y Verdugo and by José de la Peña de Toro in 1666, and was completed by Domingo de Andrade in 1700, who built some of the columns that span two floors of windows, a balustrade with large pinnacles, and an aedicula with an equestrian statue of Saint James (now disappeared), well adorned with decorative fruit clusters and large-scale military trophies. The kings of Spain entered the cathedral through this door, hence its name, and the royal coat of arms on its lintel. [13] [19]

The holy door (Porta Santa) or Door of Forgiveness (Porta do Perdón) is the closest to the steps. It is usually closed with a fence and opened only in a Jacobean holy year (years when Saint James' Day, 25 July, falls on a Sunday). It was one of the seven lesser gates and was dedicated to St. Pelagius (for whom is named a convent just opposite). On this door niches contain the image of James, with his disciples Athanasius and Theodore at his side. On the bottom and sides of the door were placed twenty-four figures of prophets and apostles (including St. James) coming from the old stone choir of Master Mateo. Inside this door through a small courtyard is the true Holy Door, which enters into the ambulatory of the apse of the church. [13] [20]

Bell Towers

The bell tower (left) and carraca tower (right) as seen from the renovated stone rooftop. At the bottom, it is still possible to see the Romanesque arches of the original towers, and their previous top height. Santiago Compostela Cathedral 2023 - Obradoiro as seen from the rooftop.jpg
The bell tower (left) and carraca tower (right) as seen from the renovated stone rooftop. At the bottom, it is still possible to see the Romanesque arches of the original towers, and their previous top height.

The early towers in the main façade of the cathedral were Romanesque (current façade of the Obradoiro). They are called the Torre das Campás, which is situated on the side of the Epistle (right) and Torre da Carraca, to the side of the Gospel (left). The two have a height of between 75 and 80 metres. [21]

The first part of the tower was built in the 12th century, but in the 15th century several modifications were made and King Louis XI of France donated in 1483 the two largest of the thirteen bells. [22]

Due to a tilt that was detected in its structure between the 16th and 17th centuries, the towers had to be reinforced with buttresses, between 1667 and 1670. The towers housing the bells were made by José de la Peña de Toro (1614–1676) in a baroque style, and completed by Domingo de Andrade. The architecture of the towers has a great effect in perspective with its vertical lines and the sequencing of its floors. [23] [24]

North Tower or da Carraca

It is located to the left of the façade del Obradoiro, and was built – like its partner – on the opposite side of an earlier tower of the Romanesque period. It was designed by Fernando de Casas Novoa in 1738, imitating the bell towers by Peña de Toro and Domingo de Andrade in the 17th century: baroque decorations adorned all kinds of ornamentation that provided a unifying architecture across the façade. [23]

Clock Tower, Torre da Trindade or Berenguela

Clock Tower Santiago Compostela Cathedral 2023 - Berenguela.jpg
Clock Tower

The Clock Tower, also called Torre da Trindade or, Berenguela, is at the intersection of the Pratarías square and the Quintana Square. Traditionally, construction was thought to begin in 1316, at the request of Archbishop Rodrigo del Padrón as a defence tower. After his death his successor, Archbishop Bérenger de Landore, continued work on it, though these dates are questioned by some authors. [22] When he became main master of the cathedral, Domingo de Andrade continued with its construction and between 1676 and 1680 raised it two floors higher; the use of various structures achieved a harmonious and ornamental design, with a pyramid-shaped crown and a lantern as a final element, with four light bulbs permanently lit. It rises to 75 m (246 ft). [24]

In 1833, a clock was placed on each side of the tower by Andrés Antelo, commissioned by the Archbishop Rafael de Vélez  [ es ]. As part of its mechanism it has two bells, one, at the hour, called Berenguela, and a smaller one marking the quarter hours. These two were cast in 1729 by Güemes Sampedro. Berenguela has a diameter of 255 cm (100 in) and a height of 215 cm (85 in), weighing approximately 9,600 kg (21,200 lb), and the smaller weighs 1,839 kg (4,054 lb) with a diameter of 147 cm (58 in) and a height of 150 cm (59 in). Both original bells cracked, forcing their replacement. The current replicas were cast in Asten (Netherlands) by the Eijsbouts house in 1989 and were placed in the cathedral in February 1990. [25] [26]

During a Jacobean Holy Year, pilgrims may enter the cathedral through the holy door (Porta Santa) to gain a plenary indulgence. [27] During a holy year, the lantern of the Berenguela Tower is lit throughout the year. otherwise it stays unlit. The light acts as a lighthouse to guide pilgrims to the cathedral during the holy years. [28]

Interior

General view of the central nave Santiago Compostela Cathedral 2023 - Main Nave Upper shot.jpg
General view of the central nave

The cathedral is 97 m (318 ft) long and 22 m (72 ft) high. It preserves its original, barrel-vaulted, cruciform, Romanesque interior. It consists of a nave, two lateral aisles, a wide transept, and a choir with radiating chapels. Compared with many other important churches, the interior of this cathedral gives a first impression of austerity until one enters further and sees the magnificent organ and the exuberance of the choir. It is the largest Romanesque church in Spain and one of the largest in Europe.

Portico of Glory

The Portico of Glory ("Pórtico da Gloria" in Galician) of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is a Romanesque portico by Master Mateo and his workshop commissioned by King Ferdinand II of León. To commemorate its completion in 1188, the date was carved on a stone and set in the cathedral, and the lintels were placed on the portico. Finalising the complete three-piece set took until 1211, when the temple was consecrated in the presence of King Alfonso IX of León. [8] [9]

The portico has three round arches that correspond to the three naves of the church, supported by thick piers with pilasters. The central arch, twice as wide as the other two, has a tympanum and is divided by a central column—a mullion—containing a depiction of Saint James. Vertically, the lower part is formed by the bases of the columns, decorated with fantastic animals, the middle portion consists of columns adorned with statues of the Apostles, and the upper part supports the base of the arches crowning the three doors. The sculpture is intended to serve as an iconographic representation of various symbols derived from the Book of Revelation and books of the Old Testament. [29]

Tympanum

Pantokrator's tympanum Portico da Gloria Pantocrator del portico de la Gloria en Santiago de Compostela.jpg
Pantokrator's tympanum Pórtico da Gloria

The arrangement of the tympanum is based on the description of Christ that John the Evangelist makes in Revelation (Chapter 1 v 1 to 18). In the centre, the Pantocrator is shown, with the image of Christ in Majesty, displaying in his hands and feet the wounds of crucifixion. Surrounding Christ is the tetramorph with the figures of the four Evangelists with their attributes: left, top St. John and the eagle and below St. Luke with the ox; on the right above, St. Matthew on the hood of the tax collector and below St. Mark and the lion. [30]

On both sides of the evangelists, behind Mark and Luke, there are four angels on each side with the instruments of the Passion of Christ. Some are, without touching them directly, the cross and crown of thorns (left) and lance and four nails (right), another the column in which he was whipped and the jar through which Pontius Pilate proclaimed his innocence. Above the heads of these angels, two large groups of souls of the blessed, forty in all. In the archivolt of the central tympanum are seated the elders of the Apocalypse, each holding a musical instrument, as if preparing a concert in honor of God. [30]

Mullion

Mullion with the figure of Santiago Parteluz de l portico de la Gloria.jpg
Mullion with the figure of Santiago

In the mullion, the figure of Saint James is seated with a pilgrim's staff, as a patron of the basilica. St. James appears with a scroll which contains written Misit me Dominus (the Lord sent me). The column just above his head with a capital which represents the temptations of Christ. On three of its sides, facing the inside of the temple, two kneeling angels pray. At the foot of the saint there is another capital with the figures of the Holy Trinity. Under the Apostle there is a representation of the tree of Jesse, the name given to the family tree of Jesus Christ from Jesse, father of King David; this is the first time that this subject is represented in religious iconography in the Iberian Peninsula. The column rests on a base where there is a figure with beard to his chest (perhaps an image of Noah) and two lions. At the foot of the central column at the top inside, looking towards the main altar of the cathedral, there is the kneeling figure of the Master Mateo himself, holding a sign on which is written Architectus. This image is popularly known as Santo dos Croques [31] from the ancient tradition of students hitting their heads against the figure for wisdom, a tradition that was adopted later by pilgrims, although steps are being taken to limit access, to stem deterioration from which the work has suffered.

Jambs

Apostles of the jambs of the Portico da Gloria Apostoles del Portico de la Gloria.jpg
Apostles of the jambs of the Pórtico da Gloria

In the columns of the central door and two side doors, the apostles are represented, as well as prophets and other figures with their iconographic attributes. All are topped with its own capital which represents different animals and human heads with leaf motifs. The names of all the figures are on the books or scrolls held in their hands.

The four pillars of the portico are based on strong foundations which represent various groups of animals and human heads with beards. For some historians, these figures are images of demons and symbolize the weight of glory (the portico in this case) crushing sin. Other sources give an apocalyptic interpretation, with wars, famine and death (represented by the beasts) with situations that can only be saved by human intelligence (the heads of older men).

Side doors

The archivolt of the right door is the Last Judgment. Santiago GDFL catedral 32.JPG
The archivolt of the right door is the Last Judgment.

The arch of the right door represents the Last Judgment. The double archivolt is divided into two equal parts by two heads. Some authors identify these heads with the figures of archangel Michael and Christ. For others, they are Christ-Judge and an angel or may indicate God the Father and God the Son. To the right of these heads, Hell is represented with figures of monsters (demons) that drag and torture the souls of the damned. On the left is Heaven with the elect, with figures of angels with children symbolizing the saved souls. [32] [33]

The arch of the left door depicts scenes from the Old Testament, with the righteous awaiting the arrival of the Savior. In the center of the first archivolt is God the Creator who blesses the pilgrim and holds the Book of Eternal Truth; to his right are Adam (naked), Abraham (with the index raised), and Jacob. With them are two figures that could be Noah (new father of humanity saved through the Flood) and Esau or Isaac and Judah. To the left of God are Eve, Moses, Aaron, King David and Solomon. In the second archivolt, the top, ten small figures represent the twelve tribes of Israel. [30]

The nave

Main altar Santiago Compostela Cathedral 2023 - Main Altar 2.jpg
Main altar

The barrel-vaulted nave and the groin-vaulted aisles consist of eleven bays, while the wide transept consists of six bays. Every clustered pier is flanked by semi-columns, three of which carry the cross vaults of the side aisles and the truss of the arched vaults, while the fourth reaches to the spring of the vault. Lit galleries run, at a remarkable height, above the side aisles around the church.

The choir is covered by three bays and surrounded with an ambulatory and five radiating chapels. The vault of the apse is pierced by round windows, forming a clerestory. The choir displays a surprising exuberance in this Romanesque setting. An enormous baldachin, with a sumptuous decorated statue of Saint James from the 13th century, rises above the main altar. The pilgrims can kiss the saint's mantle via a narrow passage behind the altar.

In the choir aisle the lattice work and the vault of the Mondragon chapel (1521) stand out. The radiating chapels constitute a museum of paintings, retables, reliquaries and sculptures, accumulated throughout the centuries. In the Chapel of the Reliquary (Galician : Capela do Relicario) is a gold crucifix, dated 874, containing an alleged piece of the True Cross.

Crypt

Reliquary in the cathedral crypt Santiago-Crypt-Silver-Box.jpg
Reliquary in the cathedral crypt

The crypt, below the main altar, shows the substructure of the 9th-century church. This was the final destination of the pilgrims. The crypt houses the relics of Saint James and two of his disciples: Saint Theodorus and Saint Athanasius. The silver reliquary (by José Losada, 1886) was put in the crypt at the end of the 19th century, after authentication of the relics by Pope Leo XIII in 1884.

Throughout the course of time, the burial place of the saint had been almost forgotten. Because of regular Dutch and English incursions, the relics had been transferred in 1589 from their place under the main altar to a safer place. They were rediscovered in January 1879. [34] [35]

Botafumeiro

The swinging Botafumeiro dispensing clouds of incense Santiago Compostela Cathedral 2023 - the botafumeiro.jpg
The swinging Botafumeiro dispensing clouds of incense

A dome above the crossing contains the pulley mechanism to swing the "Botafumeiro", which is a famous thurible found in this church. It was created by the goldsmith José Losada in 1851. The Santiago de Compostela Botafumeiro is the largest censer in the world, weighing 80 kg (180 lb) and measuring 1.60 m (5.2 ft) in height. It is normally on exhibition in the library of the cathedral, but during certain important religious holidays it is attached to the pulley mechanism, filled with 40 kg (88 lb) of charcoal and incense. In the Jubilee Years (whenever St James's Day falls on a Sunday) the Botafumeiro is also used in all the Pilgrims' Masses. Eight red-robed tiraboleiros pull the ropes and bring it into a swinging motion almost to the roof of the transept, reaching speeds of 80 km/h (50 mph) and dispensing thick clouds of incense.[ citation needed ]

Other burials

Old images

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santiago de Compostela</span> Municipality in Galicia, Spain

Santiago de Compostela, simply Santiago, or Compostela, is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, in northwestern Spain. The city has its origin in the shrine of Saint James the Great, now the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, as the destination of the Way of St. James, a leading Catholic pilgrimage route since the 9th century. In 1985, the city's Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James the Great</span> One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus

James the Great was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. According to the New Testament, he was the second of the apostles to die, and the first to be martyred. Saint James is the patron saint of Spain and, according to tradition, his remains are held in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ourense</span> City in southern Galicia, Spain

Ourense is a city and the capital of the province of Ourense, located in the autonomous community of Galicia, northwestern Spain. It is on the Camino Sanabrés path of the Way of St James, and is crossed by the Miño, Barbaña, Loña and Barbañica rivers. It is also known as A cidade das Burgas due to its hot springs, being one of the European cities with the greatest thermal heritage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Archivolt</span> Ornamental molding or band following the curve on the underside of an arch

An archivolt is an ornamental moulding or band following the curve on the underside of an arch. It is composed of bands of ornamental mouldings surrounding an arched opening, corresponding to the architrave in the case of a rectangular opening. The word is sometimes used to refer to the under-side or inner curve of the arch itself. Most commonly archivolts are found as a feature of the arches of church portals. The mouldings and sculptures on these archivolts are used to convey a theological story or depict religious figures and ideologies of the church in order to represent the gateway between the holy space of the church and the external world. The presence of archivolts on churches is seen throughout history, although their design, both architecturally and artistically, is heavily influenced by the period they were built in and the churches they were designed for.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camino de Santiago</span> Pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, Spain

The Camino de Santiago, or in English the Way of St. James, is a network of pilgrims' ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle James in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition holds that the remains of the apostle are buried.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burgos Cathedral</span> Catholic cathedral in Burgos, Spain

The Cathedral of Saint Mary of Burgos is a Catholic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary located in the historical center of the Spanish city of Burgos. Its official name is Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Santa María de Burgos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autun Cathedral</span> Church in Burgundy, France

The Cathedral of Saint Lazarus of Autun, commonly known as Autun Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Autun and a national monument of France. Famous for its Cluniac inspiration and its Romanesque sculptures by Gislebertus, it is a highlight of Romanesque art in Burgundy. It is the seat of the Bishop of Autun. The Bishop of Autun set forth the construction of St. Lazarus Cathedral as a result of the large movement of pilgrims travelling to Vezelay as they progressed on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Botafumeiro</span> Giant thurible in Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

The Botafumeiro is a famous thurible used at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, in Spain. Its name comes from the Galician language, where botar means "to eject, to throw away, to expel", and the Latin fume, meaning "smoke".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">O Saviñao</span>

O Saviñao is a Concello (council) in the province of Lugo, Galicia belonging to the district of Terra de Lemos. The main town for the council is Escairón.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hostal dos Reis Católicos</span> Hostelry in Santiago de Compostela , Spain

The Hostal dos Reis Católicos, also called the Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos or Parador de Santiago de Compostela, is a five-star Parador hotel, located in the Praza do Obradoiro of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. It is widely considered one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in the world, and has also been called the "most beautiful hotel in Europe".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lugo Cathedral</span> Cultural property in Lugo, Spain

Saint Mary's Cathedral, better known as Lugo Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic church and basilica in Lugo, Galicia, north-western Spain. The cathedral was erected in the early 12th century in a Romanesque style, with Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical elements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sigüenza Cathedral</span> Historic site in Castile-La Mancha, Spain

The Cathedral of Sigüenza, officially Catedral de Santa María de Sigüenza, is the seat of the bishop of Sigüenza, in the town of Sigüenza, in Castile-La Mancha, Spain. It was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1931.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Domingo de Andrade</span> Galician baroque architect

Domingo Antonio de Andrade was a Galician baroque architect, a leading figure in the emergence of Galician Baroque architecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ourense Cathedral</span>

The Ourense Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in Ourense in Galicia. Dedicated to St Martin, it was founded in 550. The first structure was restored by Alonso el Casto. The present mainly Gothic building was raised with the support of Bishop Lorenzo in 1220. Its local patroness is Saint Euphemia. There is a silver-plated shrine, and others of St Facundus and St Primitivus. The Christ's Chapel was added in 1567 by Bishop San Francisco Triccio. It contains an image of Christ, which was brought in 1330 from a small church on Cape Finisterre. John the Baptist's Chapel was created in 1468 by the Conde de Benavente. The Portal of Paradise is sculptured and enriched with figures of angels and saints, while the antique cloisters were erected in 1204 by Bishop Ederonio. The Capilla de la Maria Madre was restored in 1722, and connected by the cloisters with the cathedral. The eight canons were called Cardenales, as at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, and they alone did services before the altar; this custom was recognised as "immemorial" by Pope Innocent III, in 1209. The cathedral, which has undergone an impressive transition of architectural styles of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical, was built to a Latin Cross plan. It has been a functional basilica since 1887. The cathedral has a crucifix that is held in great reverence all over Galicia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portico of Glory</span>

The Portico of Glory of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is a Romanesque portico and the cathedral's main gate created by Master Mateo and his workshop, on the orders of King Ferdinand II of León. The king donated to Mateo one hundred maravedís annually between 1168 and 1188. To commemorate its completion in 1188, the date was carved on a stone set in the cathedral and on the lintel that supports the richly ornamental tympanum. Under the contract made in 1168, if Mateo was to renege on the deal to create the portico at any time, he would have to pay 1,000 gold pieces (aureos). The complete three-piece set took until 1211 to completely finish; when the cathedral was consecrated in the presence of King Alfonso IX of León.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spanish Romanesque</span>

Spanish Romanesque designates the Romanesque art developed in the Hispanic-Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula in the 11th and 12th centuries. Its stylistic features are essentially common to the European Romanesque although it developed particular characteristics in the different regions of the peninsula. There is no Romanesque art in the southern half of the peninsula because it remained under Muslim rule (Al-Andalus). The examples of Romanesque buildings in the central area of the peninsula are sparse and of the latest period, with virtually no presence south of the Ebro and the Tagus. Most Romanesque buildings can be found in the northern third of the peninsula. Romanesque art was introduced into the peninsula from east to west, so scholars have usually defined regional characteristics accordingly: the "eastern kingdoms" comprising the Pyrenean areas, Catalan Romanesque, Aragonese Romanesque and Navarrese Romanesque, and the "western kingdoms" comprising Castilian-Leonese Romanesque, Asturian Romanesque, Galician Romanesque and Portuguese Romanesque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaza del Obradoiro</span>

The Praza do Obradoiro is main square of the Santiago de Compostela old town, although not placed at the real centre. It lies to the West of the main façade of the Santiago de Compostela cathedral, and thus the Pórtico da Gloria must be crossed to get into the building from the square. It is surrounded by four important buildings, said to represent the four powers of the city: the aforementioned Santiago de Compostela cathedral to the East, Hostal dos Reis Católicos to the North, Pazo de Raxoi to the West and the Colexio de San Xerome to the South. Once being crossed by cars, now is mainly pedestrian as the rest of the old town, with only traffic for taxis and (un)loading delivery lorries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feast of Saint James</span> Festival commemorating Christian apostle

The Feast of Saint James, also known as Saint James' Day, is a commemoration of the apostle James the Great celebrated on July 25 of the liturgical calendars of the Roman Catholic church and of the Anglican, Lutheran and some other Protestant churches. The Orthodox Christian liturgical calendar commemorates James on April 30.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Door (Santiago de Compostela)</span> Ceremonial cathedral door in Galicia, Spain

The Holy Door, also known as the Door of Forgiveness, is located at the rear of the Santiago de Compostela Archcathedral Basilica, in Galicia, Spain, and is opened only during a Jacobean Holy Year. During the Holy Year it remains open so that pilgrims, and others, may enter from the Plaza de la Quintana into the apse of the cathedral. Those who do so may earn a plenary indulgence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quintana Square</span> Square in Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Quintana Square is the main square of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. It is formed by the meeting of the south facade of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Casa da Parra, Monastery of Saint Pelagius of Antealtares and Casa da Conga.

References

  1. "Santiago de Compostela (Old Town)". Whc.unesco.org. Archived from the original on 2011-05-14. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
  2. "Catedral Igrexa Catedral Metropolitana". Patrimonio Historico – Base de datos de bienes inmuebles (in Spanish). Ministerio de Cultura. Archived from the original on 6 January 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
  3. Orlandis, J. (1990). "Algunas consideraciones en torno a los orígenes cristianos en España". Cristianismo y aculturación en tiempos del imperio romano. Universidad de Murcia. pp. 63–71. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-10-15.
  4. Lligadas, J. (2005). El libro de los santos. Centro De Pastoral Liturgic. ISBN   8498050413. Archived from the original on 2023-07-25. Retrieved 2015-11-14.
  5. Portela Silva 2003: p. 54
  6. Garrido Torres 2000: p. 100
  7. Garrido Torres 2000: p. 101
  8. 1 2 Bravo Lozano 1999: p. 235
  9. 1 2 Armesto, V. (1971). Galicia feudal (2ª ed.). Editorial Galaxia. pp. 188, 287. Archived from the original on 2023-07-25. Retrieved 2015-11-14.
  10. Sadia, José María (6 August 2022). "El desconocido origen de los cimborrios románicos apunta a Compostela". ElDiario.es (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  11. "Fachada del workdoiro". Rincones de Santiago. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  12. Bendala Galán, Manuel (2003). Manual del Arte Español. Madrid: Silex. pp. 542–543. ISBN   84-7737-099-0.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Navascués 1997: p. 223
  14. "Fachada de Platerías". Fundación Barrie. Archived from the original on 2009-01-07.
  15. Yzquierdo Perrín, Ramón (1998). "Escenas de juglaría en el románico de Galicia". In García Guinea, Miguel Ángel (ed.). Vida cotidiana en la España medieval: Actas del VI Curso de Cultura Medieval, celebrado en Aguilar de Campóo (Palencia) del 26 al 30 de septiembre de 1994. Santa María la Real. pp. 133–134. ISBN   8486547466.
  16. Belda Navarro, Cristóbal (1997). Los siglos del barroco. Madrid: Akal. p. 116. ISBN   84-460-0735-5.
  17. "Exteriores: fachadas e prazas". Catedral. Percorrido da Catedral (in Galician). Web oficial de turismo de Santiago de Compostela. Archived from the original on 2013-09-03. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  18. "Santiago de Compostela" (in Galician). RuralPoint Turismo Rural. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  19. Vila, María Dolores. "Vega y Verdugo y la introducción del Barroco". Artehistoria Revista Digital. Junta de Castilla y León. ISSN   1887-4398. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  20. Otero Pedrayo 1965: pp. 405–406
  21. "Catedral do Apóstolo Santiago – Santiago de Compostela (Galicia)". Inventario de las campanas de las Catedrales de España. Campaners de la Catedral de València. 2010. Archived from the original on 2013-08-08. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  22. 1 2 Vázquez Castro, J. (1998). "La Berenguela y la Torre del Reloj de la Catedral de Santiago". Semata Ciencias Socias e Humanidades. 10. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela: 111–148. ISSN   1137-9669.
  23. 1 2 Navascués 1997: p. 226
  24. 1 2 "Santiago de Compostela. Catedral". Centro Virtual Cervantes. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  25. Llop i Bayo, Francesc (2010). "La torre del reloj de la catedral". Campaners de la Catedral de València. Archived from the original on 2013-03-14. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  26. Pedrals, Joan (2010). "Les campanes originals del rellotge de la Catedral de Santiago de Compostela" (in Catalan). Campaners de la Catedral de València. Archived from the original on 2013-03-14. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  27. "The Santiago Botafumeiro". rawtravel.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  28. "Xacobeo 2021 and 2022". Mundiplus. 2020-03-21. Archived from the original on 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  29. Vázquez/Yzquierdo/García/Castro 1996: pp. 76–77
  30. 1 2 3 "Pórtico de la Gloria y el Maestro Mateo". Románico en La Coruña. Arteguias. Archived from the original on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  31. "El Maestro Mateo o el Santo dos Croques". El camino de Santiago. Centro virtual Cervantes. Archived from the original on 2000-12-05. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  32. "La Catedral Metropolitana". Pórtico de la Gloria. Portal de la Archidiócesis de Santiago de Compostela. Archived from the original on 2013-09-26. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  33. "El Pórtico de la Gloria, Alzado". Rincones de Santiago. Archived from the original on 2007-05-09. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  34. Llorca Vives, B.; García Villoslada, R.; Montalbán, F. J. (1960). Historia de la Iglesia Católica en sus cuarto grandes edades: Edad antigua (1–681). Vol. 1 de Historia de la Iglesia Católica en sus cuarto grandes edades: Antigua, media, nueva, moderna. Editorial Católica. p. 142.
  35. "Los años santos compostelanos del siglo XX. Crónica de un renacimiento" (PDF). Boletín Oficial del Arzobispado de Santiago (3594): 118–122. January 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-09-06.

Bibliography