Construction of Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, is the traditional destination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and the reputed burial place of the apostle James. According to tradition, the tomb was discovered in the early ninth century, and King Alfonso II of Asturias ordered a church to be built over it. That early church was destroyed during a raid by the Muslim ruler Almanzor in the late tenth century. The present Romanesque cathedral was begun in the late eleventh century, with the Portico de la Gloria added by Master Mateo, and a Baroque facade was built later. Pilgrims from across Europe still travel to it, and the great botafumeiro censer swings above the crossing.

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