Santiago de Compostela: the Cathedral of the Saint

duvinca in #hive-178708 • 7 months ago

Hello archi lovers!

A new trip, a new visit and a new surprise. Another impressive monument, one of those that make us look up and stand with our eyes and mouths open. Hundreds of years before us, ancient stone, witness to experiences and object of visits and veneration.

This is the great Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in a city in Spain, which is one of the most important in the world for religious pilgrimage, because for many, after completing the entire Camino de Santiago for days, weeks and even months, Santiago de Compostela and its cathedral are the end of that transcendental journey and the divine destiny.

We arrived at the city of Santiago de Compostela, located in the northwestern part of Spain, in the region of Galicia. An area with Celtic, Roman and Christian origins that intermingle, forming a peculiar culture and idiosyncrasy.

And from almost any place you have to look far away, to the sky because Santiago and heaven are related, perhaps it is the door to reach it, holy city and city of Saint Santiago the Apostle and possessor of one of the most important cathedrals for the Catholic religion, the Cathedral of Santiago, together with the pilgrims who arrive, is undoubtedly the most prominent icon of the city.

The Square and the Façade

And all those who follow the famous spiritual and physical path through countries, regions, towns and fields to reach the cathedral, arrive at the main square. A meeting place for pilgrims where you can breathe satisfaction for the achievement, and admiration when looking straight at the beautiful façade, an example of baroque architecture although with older elements, since it has an older origin.

The Cathedral is a World Heritage Site, called the Obradoiro by locals and tourists, it stands out for its impressive façade, which we climbed up the main front stairs with a certain deep feeling of contemplation and respect.

To learn more about the historical and architectural part of the cathedral you can read what the [Wikipedia] page about this wonderful masterpiece (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_de_Compostela_Cathedral)

In the sacred interior

We are at the main entrance, although there are other side ones, and each one of the doors has a design, a style and a story. But the main one is special, and in it the visitors gather under the lintel and around a single column, where popular legend says that you have to put your hand to obtain the saint's blessing, or something like that...

Upon entering, there is an intense smell of incense spread by a device hanging from the ceiling that swings from side to side, the famous "botafumeiro". But there is much more. A large organ with many metal pipes, golden coiled baroque columns, and a bright and shining altar, also golden, that catches our attention, lots of people and little light, but despite everything, the atmosphere is vibrant, intense and special.

Surroundings

We come out into the light again, we continue looking in all directions, also upwards, always at the sky, and at the many towers and pointed decorations that adorn the different parts and the different buildings that surround the sacred temple.

On the other side, another square, smaller but with a fountain that draws the attention of so many people who gather and congregate around this very important religious element, and from there we continue, moving away through small streets from another time to feel a little of the city that welcomes us in body and soul.

Streets, food and other things

We do not only feed the spirit in such an important religious place, but also the body with the best food. Galicia is a land famous for its seafood, fish and also meats and of course wines, all of the best quality that we taste and enjoy. And that we also see in restaurant windows along the streets we walk through.

As well as typical souvenirs from the Camino (the pilgrim road), the cane with the shell and much more. In a park two small sculptures very dear to the citizens of the city and that greet the tourists.

And after the religious, architectural and also gastronomic ecstasy we let ourselves be carried away by its streets crowded with others who also come and go, through an emblematic city, full of history, architecture, food and religious feeling that creates a unique atmosphere, serene and intense at the same time and definitely very special.