Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is the final and most iconic stop of the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage. Reputed to be the resting place of Saint James the apostle, this religious site has attracted pilgrims since the early Middle Ages. Construction of the cathedral began in 1075 on the remains of earlier churches that are now hidden beneath the cathedral. Built in the Romanesque style with numerous Gothic, Baroque, Plateresque and Neoclassical add-ons, this is a monumental structure worth a visit on any trip to Galicia.

The cathedral's most well-known feature is the baroque facade of the Obradoiro. Completed in the 1730s by Casas Novoa, it replaced the old Romanesque structure. Standing more than 230 feet on both sides of the main gate, the Bell Tower and the Carraca Tower can be seen from numerous points in the city. Visitors who climb the Carraca Tower, in addition to enjoying enviable views of Santiago, can get a close-up look at the huge Carraca inside, which rings in place of the bells on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Located next to the Clock Tower is the Platerias, the only Romanesque facade that still remains. The facade of the Azabachería was built in neoclassical style, although it maintains some baroque details. The facade of the Quintana has two doors, one of them is the Holy Door, which only opens during the Jubilee, and the other is the Royal Door, which the kings formerly accessed the cathedral.

On the famous central door (Portico de la Gloria) designed in 1188 by Master Mateo, the figure of Saint James appears to welcome the pilgrims as they enter the cathedral after a long journey.

To learn more about the history of the cathedral, the best thing to do is to visit the museum's permanent collection. Some ticket options also include the possibility of accessing the cloister, the Treasury, the Chapel of Relics, the Library, and even the rooftops.

On your next trip to Galicia, whether or not you're walking the pilgrimage route, come to Santiago de Compostela and be welcomed inside the Cathedral by the figure of Saint James himself!