Discover Santiago de Compostela by Hire Car
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the Autonomous Community of Galicia, in the heart of the Kingdom of Spain, with 92,000 inhabitants in an area of 223 square kilometres.
In recent years, the town has experienced a new renaissance, especially as a pilgrimage site and place of pilgrimage on the Way of Saint James, which ends here.
Sights in Santiago de Compostela
Santiago is the euphemism for Saint James, though Compostela is thought to come from campus stellae – field of stars. However, since Santiago de Compostela was settled by the Romans in ancient times, the interpretation compostum for cemetery is also possible.
Christians from all over the world have been making pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela since the early ninth century, when the tomb of St James, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, was discovered here. According to legend, the apostle’s body reached the Spanish coast in a boat after James had been beheaded in Palestine. The holy man’s presumed relics are now buried in the impressive cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Construction of the imposing church began as early as around 1077. Today, it combines architectural styles from different eras, ranging from Romanesque elements and a Neoclassical north façade to Gothic cloisters and a Baroque west portal.
Santiago de Compostela UNESCO World Heritage Site
In addition to its sacred buildings, Santiago de Compostela stands out in particular for its wonderful old town, which, together with the cathedral and the Way of Saint James, has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here, the Ria de Franco with its excellent restaurants of Galician specialties, is to be mentioned with priority.
Always omnipresent in Santiago de Compostela is the scallop shell of the pilgrims, which also marks the way. If you don’t necessarily want to explore it on foot, it’s best to hire a car.
hire car price comparison Santiago de Compostela
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