Visiting Santiago Cathedral Museum
Historic squares and “rúas” (streets)
Founded in 1930, the museum includes three
The old town is a stone forest full of religious and
Monastery and Church of San Martiño Pinario - Museum
areas of the Cathedral that are accessed
university monuments, stately “pazos” (palaces)
San Martiño Pinario was the most influential and
independently, all of which reflect the
and small houses, balconies and galleries
largest of Galicia’s Benedictine monasteries, and
extraordinary history of the city and the Sanctuary:
overlooking busy stone “rúas” with sections of
the second in size in all Spain after El Escorial. Its
the Renaissance cloister, the chapterhouse, the
arcades.
church stands out among those in the city due to
library, where the “Botafumeiro” is displayed; the
Although it is highly recommended to wander
Treasury, the relics chapel and the royal pantheon,
about without a fixed route, there are some
its impressive baldachin and the stalls in its choirs (the upper choir is Renaissance from the 17th
the tapestry collection (with sketches by Rubens
“rúas” that should not be missed: the two most
century and used to belong to the Cathedral).
and Goya, among others), rooms displaying
“stately” ones, Rúa do Vilar and Ruá Nova; O
Furthermore, different rooms display its collection
archaeological pieces from the basilica’s subsoil,
Franco and A Raíña, full of restaurants and wine
of paintings, sculptures, gold and silver articles,
the crypt of the “Pórtico de la Gloria” and the stone choir (both from the 12th c.). An extensive
bars; the itinerary made up of Orfas-Caldeirería-
archaeological remains, etc, as well as objects
Preguntoiro, which ends in Plaza de Cervantes and
related to the everyday life of the monks that
look at the history and art of this essential world
is lined with shops, including several traditional
inhabited it: its press, pharmacy and the
cultural centre.
ones; and Casas Reais, Algalia de Arriba and
monastery’s former natural history laboratory.
Location: Entrance via Praza do Obradoiro. d2
Algalia de Abaixo, and the singular Plaza de San
Guided tour of this and other important churches:
Open: June 1-September 30: 10 am-2 pm, 4-8
Mariño Pinario. d2, d3, e2, e3
see Church Tour in Compostela Walking Tours, p. 42
pm. Sunday and public holidays: 10 am-2 pm.
Location: Praza da Inmaculada, 5 d2
October 1-May 31: 10 am-1.30 pm, 4-6.30 pm.
Open: October 1 – June 15: Mon-Sun, 11 am-
Sunday and public holidays: 10 am-1.30 pm.
1.30 pm, 4-6.30 pm. June 15-July 1: Mon-Sun, 11
Closed January 1 and 6, July 25, August 15,
am-1.30 pm, 4-7 pm. July 1-September 30: Mon-
December 25.
Sun, 11 am-7 pm.
Price: € 5. Students, groups, over-65s and
Price: € 2.50. Students, groups and over-65s: €
pilgrims: € 3. Schoolchildren: € 1 (groups and
1.50.
schoolchildren, booking in advance). Under-12s:
Contact: San Martiño Pinario Museum
free.
Tel: (+34) 981 583 008
Contact: Cathedral Museum Tel: (+34) 981 569 327 www.catedraldesantiago.es
Mercado de Abastos (food market)
www.museosanmartinpinario.com
The Mercado de Abastos is Santiago’s secondmost visited attraction after the Cathedral. It is the city’s main market, and most genuine and traditional one; it is a “rural” market but with all the modern services, featuring the gastronomy and culinary customs of Galicia: this large city ladder contains countless kinds of fresh fish and seafood, as well as fruit, vegetables, flowers, cheese, etc, with the added interest of being housed in a monumental building. The Mercado
Parque da Alameda
de Abastos is truly exceptional.
This romantic 19th-century park features the best
Guided tour of the Mercado de Abastos: see
viewpoint overlooking the city: the one in Paseo
Gastronomy Tour in Compostela Walking Tours, p. 41
da Ferradura, which offers a spectacular,
Location: Rúa das Ameas, s/n (no number)
panoramic front view of the Cathedral, which
Open: Monday - Satruday, 7 am - 3 pm approx.
stands out magnificently over the cluster of
The busiest time is from 11 am to 12 noon, and
historic buildings. Recommendable at any time of
the best days are Thursday and Saturday. d3-e3
day, this viewpoint is a must in the evening. c2
Contact: www.mercadodeabastosdesantiago.com
All the information at www.SantiagoTurismo.com 38
Professional Tourism Guide