One word of advice: Get there early! They open at 8, so be sure to start queueing by 7, at latest…read more You'll be glad you did! Not only will you meet fantastic Peregrinos from all over the globe, you'll also get the chance of scoring a free lunch at the Parador if you're one of the first ten in line. I got one! The people manning desks were friendly, but be ready to answer questions about your journey and provide your documents. They mean serious business! After all was said and done, we got our certificates (with our names in Latin), received our final sello on our credenciales, and took some fantastic pics. Oh yeah, they also sell certificate scrolls so you can bring them home safely. It was a Buen Camino!

After hiking 11 days I arrived in Santiago de Compostela in the afternoon and decided to avoid the…read morerush and get my Compostela (finisher certificate) when they opened the next morning. Located a block below the cathedral, at 730am there was already a long line outside. I waited about 45 min but after that it went pretty fast. You go downstairs past the courtyard pictured and pull your number. Highly recommend downloading the QR reader to monitor when your number is approaching. This allows you to leave and do something else vs waiting there. It took about 2 hours for my number so I had breakfast and explored the village. Watch out that the volunteer spells your name correctly. They often times Latinize it i.e. Michael = Miguel.

Amazing place! To…read morepreface, we were just your average tourists, unlike those who "pilgrim" their way here (hats off to those hardcore hikers). Nevertheless, breathtaking! Maybe not as grand as the Vatican, but after being to both, I love this cathedral much more... Great views, great vibe, great mass (if you're into such a Catholic thing), and a great cobblestone surrounding city to get your walk on... It's amazing! If you've never, you should! Prost!

Clearly this is a must-see site if you visit Santiago de Compostela. I believe the cathedral is one…read moreof the largest in Europe and probably the largest in Spain (don't quote me on that last bit). Since it is a must see site, you might face long lines. However, during our trip in early September, it only took us about 15 minutes to enter around 4 pm. So, it might be worth it to visit later in the day. In addition to viewing the wonderful Romanesque interior, you can also visit the tomb of St. James. Be aware that there is another line to view the tomb. Also, it's set up where you are not really allowed to linger around the tomb because it's pretty much a walk in, walk out situation. Admission is free for both the cathedral and tomb. Also, are not allowed to bring large rucksack; however, you can bring smaller bags.

Formerly a convent, Santa María de Conxo has been transformed into a psychiatric hospital. This…read moreoccurred in the 19th century, when the religious order was transferred to Poio. That may sound like a strange place to visit, but it is full of historical and cultural references for locals in Santiago de Compostela and for many Galicians. The hospital in fact was one of the earliest of its types and, it appears, was first used for university professors in need of mental treatment. As a religious site, the convent dates from the time of Gelmírez and the early part of the 12th century, although much of the visible part is from the 18th century. The cloister is Romanesque style and is visited by requesting entrance at the reception desk of the hospital. The church is 17th century. There is a sculpture by Gregorio Fernández and the hospital surprisingly displays a large painting by Julia Minguillón, known during the Franco period and one of the more important female artists of early 20th century Spain. Conxo is a barrio on the edge of Santiago that has grown up and lost its original appeal, but its name remains. Inmates have occasionally become famous for their artistic activities in the center of the city - either playing musical instruments of some sort, or showing drawing talents off on street walls. It was also the site for the fifth and last novel of major writer Rosalía de Castro (1837-1885), El primer loco (The First Madman, 1881). The novel is full of historical and political innuendoes and the setting described in it is virtually impossible to find now, but one can use one's imagination. And as always, a church in Galicia offers a space for reflection of any sort, spiritual or other. One really can do a course in art history wandering through some of the less spectacular and less touristic sites. Often, too, a conversation with the man or woman in charge of doors or cleaning can reveal some curious lore

It is a exquisite architectonic building quite spacious and with a lot of art artifactsread more

This is an intimate little church with a courtyard that has something to see - all around are over…read more300 stone slabs from medieval gremios or guilds, from XIV to XVI centuries. One can spend some time studying the symbols for tailors, leather-workers, and more. The church itself dates from 1327 when it was consecrated by Archbishop Berenguel and is set on the Quintana dos Mortos (square of the dead), with earth supposedly brought from Palestine (there are many such legends in Galicia - this might be true). The style is Romanesque. Noia itself has the legendary origin of having found named for a granddaughter of Noah's son Jafet. Pliny describes the fortress of Noela, which may have been the source of this legend. There were Celtic settlements in the area of Noia. Youtube has this video in Spanish, which explains the guilds as represented on the granite slabs. Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYKLE3YXxFM