San Martiño Pinario monastery
San Martiño Pinario monastery, Benedictine monastery near Plaza de la Inmaculada, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
San Martiño Pinario is a Benedictine monastery in Santiago de Compostela featuring a large baroque building with a single-nave church, two cloisters, and an ornate stone facade. The structure dominates the urban landscape with its massive proportions and detailed architectural design combining baroque, Renaissance, and neoclassical elements.
The monastery was founded in the 10th century and flourished after 1494 when it joined the Benedictine congregation of Valladolid and underwent extensive rebuilding. This transformation resulted in the imposing baroque building seen today with its distinctive architectural features.
The monastery houses a religious art museum displaying significant collections of goldsmithing, sculptures, paintings, and liturgical vestments from different periods that visitors can explore while walking through the halls.
The building currently serves as the Major Seminary of Santiago de Compostela and houses spaces for theological education and religious training. Visitors should note that portions of the complex remain in active use and access may sometimes be limited.
The monastery's facade height was intentionally limited by cathedral authorities to preserve the basilica's visibility, resulting in unusually shortened towers. This decision makes the building a notable example of how urban planning considerations shaped the architecture.
Location: Santiago de Compostela
Inception: 10 century
Architectural style: baroque architecture, Renaissance architecture, Neoclassical architecture
Part of: Way of Saint James in the province of A Coruña
Website: http://sanmartinpinario.eu/index.php?idMenu=6&idIdioma=1
GPS coordinates: 42.88194,-8.54444
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02
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 center with cobbled streets, a traditional market from 1873, Baroque monasteries and 19th-century parks make up its architectural and urban heritage. The Cathedral of Santiago dominates the old town with its Romanesque structure and Baroque Obradoiro façade. The medieval quarter extends around the Plaza del Obradoiro with buildings from different periods, including the 16th-century Hostal de los Reyes Católicos. The Mercado de Abastos has offered regional Galician products since 1873. The Monastery of San Martiño Pinario displays 17th-century Baroque architecture, while the Parque de la Alameda from the 19th century provides walking paths and viewpoints over the old town. The Collegiate Church of Santa María del Sar preserves Romanesque elements from the 12th century. These locations document the city's development from the Middle Ages to modern times.
Way of Saint James
160 m
Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of St. James the Apostle
155 m
Glory's Portico
168 m
Botafumeiro
147 m
Fachada das Praterías (Catedral de Santiago de Compostela)
186 m
Plaza del Obradoiro
196 m
Monastery of San Francisco do Val de Deus
233 m
Palacio de Gelmírez
139 m
Quintana square
169 m
Monastery of Saint Pelagius of Antealtares
192 m
Hospital de los Reyes Católicos
129 m
Parador de Santiago de Compostela
175 m
Capela de Ánimas
217 m
Museo de la Catedral de Santiago de Compostela
199 m
Biblioteca Ánxel Casal
219 m
Fachada do Obradoiro, Catedral de Santiago de Compostela
166 m
Plaza de Cervantes
192 m
Casa da Parra
133 m
Faculty of Medicine, Santiago de Compostela
129 m
Casa da Conga
210 m
Monument to Saint Francis
143 m
House at 4 San Miguel dos Agros street, Santiago de Compostela
134 m
Church of Saint Michael dos Agros
113 m
Hostal of the Reyes Católicos, Santiago de Compostela. Chapel
138 m
Palacio Arzobispal de Santiago de Compostela
116 m
Biblioteca de Estudios Teológicos de Galicia
84 m
Asorey family house
170 m
Old town of Santiago de Compostela
133 mReviews
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