Basilica of Saint Martin de Mondoñedo

The Basilica of Saint Martin de Mondoñedo is a Romanesque worship building with three naves and semicircular apses, supported by stone walls measuring two meters (6.5 feet) thick at their base. A rectangular bell tower rises prominently from the structure.

In 866, bishops from Dumio relocated their seat to this location after Muslim invasions threatened their original city. This move established the site as a major religious center in the Kingdom of Galicia for centuries.

The place served as a spiritual center where communities gathered for worship and important religious ceremonies throughout the medieval period. Its layout and decoration reflect how faith was expressed and organized in this region over time.

The site is located near the Cantabrian Sea and open to visitors during regular hours. An on-site museum displays religious artifacts and decorative pieces from different periods.

Hidden within the stone walls are frescoes from the 12th century that were only discovered during restoration work in 2008. These paintings represent some of the earliest Romanesque wall art ever found in the Galician region.

Location: San Martiño de Mondoñedo

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture

GPS coordinates: 43.56167,-7.30333

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:24