The Museo de Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

As I have said before, there are so many buildings, convents, churches, museums to visit in Santiago de Compostela...especially on rainy days like today.

We are going to the Museo de Cathedral which unfortunately does not allow ANY photographs.😒

The museum, was founded in 1930 with exhibits that span from the Roman age to present day.
The cathedral covers more than 8,300 square meters!  Mostly made of granite which is highly resistant and a very hard rock easily found in Galicia.
As I've mentioned before, the three famous Christian pilgrimages are to Rome, Jerusalem, and Santiago de Compostela.  Deb and I have been to all three!
Feeling blessed.

The Cathedral is believed to be a symbolic link between Heaven and Earth.

Photos are permitted on the balcony of the cathedral.

This gives great views of the city and surrounding area. (Unfortunately it is down pouring rain on this day)

The museum is owned by the cathedral and is located in many of the rooms of the cathedral.

The most awe inspiring is the Portico da Gloria which was the entrance to the Cathedral for many years.  It is still under some restoration and the only way to see it, is to book an official tour online or at the ticket office.  Not many in English, so we joined a Spanish one, because it is not to be missed.

The doors to the Portico da Gloria will never be opened again.

The western entrance, now closed, refers to the Final Judgement and the Celestial Jerusalem.

The work of this magnificent masterpiece is done by Master Mateo beginning in the 12th Century.

It took him almost 20 years to finish, which he was thus rewarded with a lifetime pension.

It is 17 meters wide and 9.5 meters tall.  It has been under restoration for 10 years.

The three archways represent the Apocalypse, Judgement Day and the prophets and apostles .  It consists of 200 granite figures with Jesus watching over Saint James, as he welcomes pilgrims.

An exact replica of the Portico da Gloria can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England.

(the photo below is a postcard)

The Christmas tree, just put up, awaiting the season in front of the Pazo de Raxoi.

We are now on the second level balcony in the Cathedral.

LD trying to stay dry while posing for a photo.

At one time, before the restorations began, you could take tours and actually walk on the roof of the Cathedral?

It has steps like staircases which you can see 360' around Santiago.

Not often can you witness the Praza do Obradoiro empty....except the two little people sharing an umbrella.  It is pouring down rain today....thus no pilgrims or visitors.

The Xelmirez Palace is also part of the tour and attached to the cathedral.  It is one of the best preserved medieval palaces in all of Spain dating back to the 11th Century.  

We found our way to the cloister.  There is so much construction happening in this area, but we were able to walk all the way around the cloister hallways and take a few photos.

Many items are being protected and stored here during the restorations.

Very interesting graves are marked here within the cathedral.

The cloister was built in the 1521.

I thought the next few photos and one before looked 'aged' in black and white.

You can access the four wings of the Cathedral from this area.

I found where the bells are being stored.  They are massive.

These bells originated in the Clocktower.  The largest bell is called Berenguela from the 18th Century.

Entrance back to the museum.

It was an incredible tour of this magnificent Cathedral.

A MUST see if traveling here.

One last photo from a hotel nearby the Cathedral....'It's beginning to look like Christmas.....'