Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Museum (Museo de Catedral de Santiago de Compostela) takes visitors on a journey through the fascinating life of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. Learn about the 1,000-year-old history of what is considered to be the best example of Romanesque architecture in Spain. Browse magnificent works of art, see exquisite tapestries and understand the significance of the cathedral to European identity.
The Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Museum begins with a look into the cathedral’s origins, which began with the discovery of the tomb of St. James in the 9th century. Pictures and diagrams show the different stages of the cathedral’s construction. See the recreation of a Gothic stone choir designed by Master Mateo. Browse valuable artifacts from the 1200s to 1700s such as ceremonial robes, ceramics, metalwork, paintings and sculptures.
Visit a Renaissance cloister, the cathedral’s treasury and its library, which stores sacred manuscripts and documents related to Galician history. The museum’s tapestry collection is among the best in Spain. It features designs by David Teniers the Younger, Francisco de Goya and Peter Paul Rubens. Temporary exhibitions take place in the annexed Palace of Gelmírez, a building notable for its 98-feet (30-meter) long hall and ribbed vaults.
Combine your museum visit with a tour of other parts of the cathedral. Marvel at the Portico of the Glory, which is the cathedral’s western gateway by Master Mateo that portrays scenes from the Old and New Testaments. From the terraced rooftop you can enjoy stunning views over the city. See the crypt of St. James and vestiges of a Roman necropolis.
The museum stands on Obradoiro Square, in the heart of the city center. It’s a 20-minute walk from Santiago de Compostela train station. Many people arrive here after walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Museum is open daily and there’s an admission fee. Audio guides in various languages are available and you can book guided tours via the cathedral’s official website.
