Santiago de Compostela

This picturesque town located in Galicia, Spain, is actually named after Saint James, also known as Santiago. The town cathedral is the ending spot for the medieval pilgrimage of St. James, known in the local dialect as the Camiño de Santiago. Santiago de Compostela is a World Heritage Site as designated by UNESCO, and continues to draw tourists and students to the beautiful buildings, historical sites as well as the famous University located within the city.

The Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela is considered to be one of the most influential and well preserved representations of medieval and Romanesque styles of architecture found in all of Spain. The building dates back to its first development in 1075 and the progressive adding on to the original construction provides an interesting view of how buildings changed throughout history. Besides the Cathedral there are also a variety of museums and palaces to tour and explore. Each year pilgrims dress in the traditional clothing of the saints and travel the long path to Santiago de Compostela, most holding a traditional staff topped with a clam or scallop shell. This provides tourists with a historical perspective on the ancient buildings and structures found throughout the area. 

The Plaza de las Platerias is a great place to visit for amazingly beautiful silver articles. Jewelry, serving dishes and ornaments featuring silver and gems are common in most of the shops around the Plaza, but there are also wonderful clothing boutiques and specialty shops for art lovers and other collectors. In addition this Plaza, as with the other Plaza’s in the city of Santiago de Compostela, is famous for the outdoor cafes and restaurants that provide everything from espresso coffees and biscotti to outstanding meals and appetizers.

The food of Santiago de Compostela draws many visitors every year, especially during the festivals and summer holiday months. Seafood is the regional specialty throughout the area of Galicia, and the city of Santiago de Compostela is best known for its wide array of seafood dishes. Some of the special seafood dishes include a seafood dish known as Saint Jacob’s Shell. Although during the pilgrimage there is a large influx of people into the area, the city of Santiago de Compostela is a warm and accommodating area to visit with lots to see and do for the whole family.