Schedules of Saint James of Compostela Cathedral
Basilica (Sepulchre of Saint James the Apostle)
- Every day, from 7 am to 9 pm.
- Closing on December 25th and January 1st (delivery of the Compostela in the sacristy of the Cathedral).
Free Tour of Santiago de Compostela and Daily Tours
Museum
(visits to the permanent Collection / Gelmírez Palace / Portico of Glory)
- Monday to Sunday, from 10 am to 8 pm.
Pilgrim’s Reception Office (rúa Carretas, 33)
- From 10 am to 6 pm.
Archive – Library
- From Monday to Friday, from 9:30 am to 1 pm (researchers)
Address: Praza do Obradoiro. 15704 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Espanha.
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Saint James Cathedral history
The Apostle Saint James the Elder is one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. Brother of John, the Evangelist, he is the son of Zebedee and Mary Salome. Along with Peter and John he belongs to the group of three privileged disciples who were admitted by Jesus into the important moments of his life, such as his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and during his Transfiguration. According to the Acts of the Apostles, Saint James was the first Apostle to become a martyr by being beheaded by Herod Agrippa in the year 43 AD in Jerusalem. The tradition narrates how his body was taken by sea to Galicia, and was buried in a forest, today the site of the Cathedral.
Bernard the Elder, Admirable Master, and Roberto, began the construction of the Romanesque Cathedral in 1075, during the reign of Alfonso VI, when Diego Peláez was bishop. After that initial stage, a number of historical changes suspended or, at least, slowed down the works until they were newly launched during in times of Archbishop Gelmírez, in 1100. The works were commissioned to Master Esteban (also known as “Maestro de Platerías”); little by little the construction of the Cathedral progressed throughout the 12th century. In 1168 Master Mateo was commissioned to complete it, including the western closure and the building of the Choir in the main nave. In 1211 the Basilica was consecrated before Alfonso IX.
Although the fundamental medieval structure has been preserved, over the centuries the Cathedral has changed its physiognomy as a result of the building of the Cloister and its annex areas, during the Renaissance, and especially during the Baroque period, when works such as the main chapel, the organs, the closing of the chevet or the Obradoiro facade were carried out, among other important developments. During the Neoclassic period the new Azabachería facade was executed and over the past one hundred years different actions have continued to be carried out.
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