Our Way Walking The Camino: The Monastery and Church of San Martino Pinario

During our stay in Santiago de Compostela, we walked, including the very first day we arrived, passed the spectacular Monastery of San Martino Pinario.
The first few times the doors where closed and we didn't know exactly what this building was.

Finally, we are going in for a visit.
Very affordable....3 euros...a few hours....phenomenal.

It is the second largest Benedictine monastery in Spain.
It was, in it's time one of the riches and most powerful monasteries in Spain.

Built in the year 899, sadly not much remains of that original monastery which was completely torn down in the 9th Century. As of the 16th Century, it was completely rebuilt to what stand today.

Arriving at the monastery we walk down this mythical hall with ancient archways.

At the end of the hall of arches....we see this. (below)

The exquisite Church of San Martino Pinario.

Breathtaking and staggering in size and magnificence.

Incredible light beaming in....illuminating the entire church. Very unusual as they are often quite dark inside.

Building of the current church began in 1587

First sign that we are in a Catholic church are the Stations of the Cross (below) which are always displayed around the nave.

They are also referred to as the Way of the Cross, or Via Crucis, the Way of Sorrows. They show Jesus on the day he was crucified, in images and prayers.

Deb and I actually walked the Stations of the Cross in the Holy City of Jerusalem in 2010.

Unbelievably moving experience. I cried.

There are six chapels; three on each side of the church.

You can see by the tininess of the worshipper inside this chapel, how large they are.

The Virgin Mary.

Not one, not two but three stunning alter pieces grace the front of the church.

The largest, on the right, faces the congregation. The one on the left is equally astonishing. In fact there is another one facing it...outside of this photo. It's too large for me to get all three together.

The church is built in the shape of a cross. Thus the two on the left and right are located on the arms of the cross and the main is the top of the cross. The nave is the vertical part of the cross.

Hope that makes sense.

The alter screen on the left houses the Virgen Inglesa which has a very interesting story. Translation of that is the English Virgin. There is a carving of the Virgin and Child (with the alter) that dates back to King Henry VIII time. Dating from the 15th Century, it was brought to Compostela by Catholics, that were fleeing England, after King VIII separated from the Roman Catholic Church.

The third alter screen is quite magnificent.

Dedicated to Saint Benedict. (below)

He was a religious reformer in the late 4th Century. The term 'Benedictine' refers to a Rule that would become the norm for many Christian monks and nuns.

He is the Patron Saint of Europe.

When taking this photo, I am standing at the main entrance of the church, looking down the nave towards the main alter.

There's Deb taking in all in.

Angelic cherubs displayed behind the alter.

The organ within the choir stales.

So much detail in the choir chairs dating back to the 16th Century.

The choir stalls are behind the sanctuary but can be visited. I think this photo from the choir looking into the main church is a great shot....if I do say so myself.😁

The main alter screen is double sided. Not only can the congregation marvel at it, but so can the choir singers.

These stairs lead to the upper floors where there are displays of Religious Art, including sculptures, paintings, archaeological relics, and vestments (priests wear) and much more.

Distributed over a number of floors in 12 rooms.

Very interesting.

But first we have to climb this very old staircase. Yikes.