Собор небесного покровителя Испании Cathedral of the patron saint of Spain

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After the resurrection of Christ, the Apostle James preached his doctrine in the Iberian Peninsula and did it very successfully. In the year 44 from the Nativity of Christ, his zeal was rewarded - he was beheaded. The disciples sent the remains of the Saint to the will of the waves in a boat. It is believed that in 813g. the boat was found on the coast of Galicia, where she arrived from the eastern Mediterranean after many centuries. At this time, the Reconquista began - the expulsion of the Moors, the Apostle became its banner and heavenly patron of Spain. With his name, they conquered the lands of Iberia from the Moors, spread Christianity to the south of the peninsula. For hundreds of years of wandering, the boat was overgrown with shells, so the shell with the scarlet cross of St. James became the symbol of the Apostle.

The city of Santiago de Compostela is historically subordinate to the Catholic Church of Spain, even the royal judges had no right to rule here. There is an amazing atmosphere in Obradorio Square in front of the Cathedral!
On solo trips, this is felt very strongly.

For the relics of the Apostle in the IX century, a church was built here, and later - the Cathedral. The towers and luxurious baroque faç ade appeared even later, in the 18th century. The cathedral is not as large as its counterparts in Seville and Toledo. The view of the Cathedral is severe, the impression is enhanced by low clouds and softly weeping tears of rain. I was even glad that I came in such weather, the feeling is difficult to convey: gloomy and solemn. Intricate staircases lead to the Cathedral.

At the entrance is a Gnarled Column, the touch of which, they say, brings Happiness. She is now protected from those who want to be happy easily, but they still reach out - the desire for Happiness is irresistible! Above the altar you can touch the Mantle, under the altar - a shrine with relics. The decoration of the Cathedral is ascetic - the brilliance of decorations should not distract from thoughts about the Divine, the Eternal! The Cathedral is in twilight, but the radiance of the Altar is all the brighter.
Of course, I walked around the Cathedral and around, went to the oldest buildings - the Romanesque church of Santa Maria do Sar, in front of which there is a complex system of courtyards. I walked along the streets dressed with strict granite, visited the monumental market, and other churches.