Plaza del Obradoiro, Central square in Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Description
Plaza del Obradoiro is a rectangular stone-paved square in front of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, enclosed by four monumental buildings on each side. The space provides direct access to the cathedral's main entrance and to key buildings including a hotel, town hall, and university campus.
History
The plaza takes its name from the stone workshops where masons carved pieces for the cathedral's baroque facade during 18th-century construction. These craftspeople shaped the character of the space, which developed into the important gathering point it remains today.
Culture
The plaza marks the final destination where pilgrims from around the world complete the Camino de Santiago spiritual journey. Visitors arrive here to celebrate reaching this important endpoint and gather with others who have walked the same path.
Practical
The square is easily accessible on foot and offers plenty of space to walk around and rest while taking in views of the cathedral. Visitors can explore the surrounding buildings to understand how this area functions as both a religious and civic center.
Did you know?
Each side of the plaza represents a different function: religion through the cathedral, education through the university, governance through the town hall, and hospitality through the historic hotel. This arrangement reveals how the city concentrated its main institutions around a single square.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Santiago de Compostela).
Discover a selection of points of interest in Santiago de Compostela, bringing together religious, historical and cultural sites. This city in northwestern Spain offers much more than the endpoint of the famous pilgrimage route that bears its name: a 12th-century Romanesque cathedral, a medieval...
Galicia lies in the northwest of Spain, between the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains that separate it from the Iberian Peninsula. For centuries, pilgrims have walked here to reach Santiago de Compostela, but there is more than just the famous path. Its towns hold memories of sea and faith:...
Way of Saint James
152 m
Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of St. James the Apostle
106 m
Glory's Portico
46 m
Botafumeiro
138 m
Palacio de Rajoy
48 m
Fachada das Praterías
115 m
Santiago de Alfeo University College
120 m
Palacio de Gelmírez
59 m
Quintana square
174 m
Casa del Cabildo
134 m
Hospital de los Reyes Católicos
103 m
Parador de Santiago de Compostela
74 m
Church of Saint Fructuosus
85 m
Museo de la Catedral de Santiago de Compostela
57 m
Fachada do Obradoiro, Catedral de Santiago de Compostela
49 m
Fountain of the Horses
129 m
Museo das Peregrinacións e de Santiago
157 m
Faculty of Medicine, Santiago de Compostela
103 m
Casa da Conga
162 m
Casa do Deán
166 m
Bank of Spain building in Santiago de Compostela
146 m
Hostal of the Reyes Católicos, Santiago de Compostela. Chapel
95 m
Palacio Arzobispal de Santiago de Compostela
80 m
Biblioteca de la Fundación Gonzalo Torrente Ballester
165 m
Pazo de Monroi
169 m
Biblioteca de Estudios Teológicos de Galicia
146 m
House at 17 Rúa do Vilar, Santiago de Compostela
179 m
Old town of Santiago de Compostela
93 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes