Welcome to Santiago de Compostela, my second home, by Sonia González Riesco

I have been living near Santiago since fifteen years ago. It was declared by UNESCO a World Heritage site and built on a bill encircled by the Sar river and its tributary, the Sarela river.

It was born from a legend, the discovery in 813 A.D. of the sepulchre of St. James the Apostle. 

King Alfonso II visited the site and ordered a modest temple and monastery to be built.

Apart from being famous for its university, monuments, and religious and commercial activity, is is also a major centre of administration because it is the capital of the Autonomous Community of Galicia.

This small city has many important monuments and buildings, that we should not miss visiting, such as:

The Square of El Obradoiro.

This impressive square opens out in an enormous, almost moving sweep, with magnificent buildings which represent a thousand years of history and architecture.

Here you will find:

The Cathedral, which has been the key to the city´s identify; the city grew up around it. The exterior has undergone successive renovation works, but the interior has basically been preserved intact. In fact, it is the most valuable legacy of the Romanesque style.

The College of San Jerónimo: its facade comes from the old hospital of pilgrims; The Pazo Raxoi, current town hall; The Royal Hospital, which was built for the care of pilgrims and that today is a luxury hotel with forms part of the network of State Hotels, The Hostal de los Reyes Católicos; The Gelmired Palace, which extends to the left of the Obradoiro Façade.

 

The Squares of Platerias, La Quintana and La Azabachería

These are the strongly characteristic squares which surround the cathedral, where the silversmith’s guild was located.

And we could go on listing many more important buildings, churches, monasteries, convents, university residences, etc, without forgetting to mention the Museo do Pobo Galego (Museum of the Galician People) and the Pantheon of famous Galicians, which contains, among others, Rosalia de Castro and Castelao’s tombs, two leading figures of Galician Literature.

Santiago is a city with a special charm, when you walk through its streets in the old town you have the feeling of going back to the past.The best thing to do is come and enjoy it. Also, you can also check the variety of its cuisine, highlighting its fish and seafood as well as its great variety of wines and spirits.

For something they say that Galicia is a land of witches… it will bewitch you!