Santiago de Compostela Attractions

The airport is located 11km south east of Santiago de Compostela

The Casa de la Troya Museum recreates the student boarding house and the atmosphere of the late 19th C.

The monastery has a cloister garden with fantastic topiary.

On the east side of the town, beyond the Puerta del Camino (a square on the site of the old gate through which pilgrims entered the town), is the 18th century monastery of Santo Domingo. One wing of the monastery houses the Museo do Pobo Gallego (Museum of the Galician People) and the Municipal Museum.

The Eugenio Granell Foundation was created in 1995 to display the works of Granell and other surrealist artists.

The museum offers displays on the history of the medical profession, with old instruments, photographs, and writings.

The Natural History Museum is part of the University of Compostela, located at the South Campus. The museum features exhibits on geology, botany, and zoology.

Among the items on display in the museum are the original altar from St. James' tomb, a 13th C Christ figure from the old Romanesque church, a 1610 edition of the Rule of St. Benedict, as well as various works of art.

To the south of the Cathedral and the Plaza de las Platerías is the old town of Santiago, centered on two parallel streets, Rúa del Villar (with the 18th century Casa del Deán at its near end, on left) and Rúa Nueva (Galician Nova). These two arcaded streets with their bars and restaurants and souvenir shops are the hub of the town's life.

On the southwest side of the old town, off the broad Alameda, is the Paseo de la Herradura, a large park-like area from which there is a fine view of the Cathedral and the town. In the park is the church of Santa Susana (begun 1105). To the south lies the University City.

Pazo de Oca has a magnificent manor house of 1746, joined by a gallery to a later Baroque church, has a patio-like garden around an 18th century fountain of an unusual trefoil shape. The inner garden is watered by a stream coming to rest in two large, formal pools. They are divided by a bridge in the Baroque style of Santiago and a stone boat manned by sailor in 18th century dress in the lower pool. The surrounding paths are shadowed by box trees, and a green pall of mosses and lichens. In the late 19th century, the garden included photinias, magnolias and camellias overhang the principal walks.

Pazo de Santa Cruz de Ribadulla is surrounded by a 400 years old avenue of ancient box hedges, olive trees and a large Phytolacca dioica. During 1880-99, a romantic garden of exotic shrubs and trees was planted that included over 200 camellia, tree ferns in a river valley and lots of specimen trees.

In San Lorenzo, 2km/1.25mi west of Santiago de Compostela, is the early 13th century church of San Lorenzo de Transouto, with a marble altar (1525) and sculptured figures by Montañés.

Half way along Rúa Nueva stands the Romanesque church of Santa María Salomé (12th C.).

In the Barrio de Sar, on the southeast side of the town, is the 12th century church of Santa María de Sar, the columns and walls of which are considerably off the vertical, probably because of an unstable site. It has a fine 13th century cloister, partly preserved, with rich sculptural ornament by Master Mateo.

The museum, accessed through the side entrance of the church, displays silver and gold work, and 18th C religious artifacts made in Compostela.

In the Plaza del Instituto, we come to the University (late 18th C.), which was originally founded in 1532. It has a very valuable library, including important 16th century works.