The City
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Santiago de Compostela (population, 89,000) is in the
north west of Spain. It is the capital of the Autonomous Region of Galicia
and lies 35km. from the Atlantic Ocean.
The European Commission has designated the Way to Santiago as the first European Cultural Route, and in 1985 the city itself was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It attracts visitors from all over the world, and its outstanding monuments, plus its artistic and cultural events, which include a variety of music, theatre and dance, make it one of the great cultural centres of Europe. Santiago is one of the most noteworthy historical towns in Spain, with an architectural style all its own. But it is also a lively university town with a large student population, who provide a youthful atmosphere within its historic walls. The regional cuisine also enjoys a well-deserved reputation. The destination of pilgrims from all over Europe in the Middle Ages, its 11th century Romanesque cathedral with its imposing Baroque façade, the 12th century Pórtico de la Gloria , the cathedral nave and cloisters constitute the centre of life in Santiago. There are also many other interesting buildings, such as the Old
University, the Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santa Maria del Sar, the
Gelmirez Palace, and the magnificent Hospital of the Reyes Católicos (Catholic
Monarchs), which currently houses a luxury hotel. |
