University of Santiago de Compostela

About Santiago de Compostela, Guide and Top Tourist Attractions
(Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Santiago de Compostela takes its name from the legend of its origin. The apostle Saint James was said to have made his way to the city where he died later on. Santiago de Compostela literally means Saint James in the Field of Stars, referring to the legend that says the saint's bones are interred beneath the altar of the city's famous cathedral.

What to do in Santiago de Compostela

Pilgrims visit Santiago commonly follow the Route of Santiago de Compostela, a religious pilgrimage commemorating the path the saint took during his last days. The path follows the Franco-Spanish border passing by over 180 historic buildings that the pilgrims can visit along the way.

Tourist Attractions

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is the city's main tourist attraction. Thousands of devout Catholics usually flock there to touch the base of the cathedral's altar believed to contain the bones of Saint James.

Within the cathedral is another attraction called the Capilla del Relicario. It holds a beautiful golden cross said to contain a piece of the True Cross.