Which cathedral in Santiago de Compostela is traditionally believed to contain Saint James the Apostle’s tomb?

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is traditionally believed to contain the tomb of Saint James the Apostle.

The cathedral stands in Galicia, northwestern Spain, at the traditional end of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes. According to Christian tradition, Saint James’s remains were brought to the Iberian Peninsula and later discovered near Compostela in the ninth century.

Construction of the present Romanesque cathedral began in 1075 during the reign of Alfonso VI of León and Castile. Later additions introduced Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical features, creating the layered appearance visible today.

The cathedral’s western Obradoiro façade is one of Spain’s best-known architectural views. Pilgrims traditionally arrive in the adjoining square after completing one of the many routes, although the historic pilgrimage tradition and the cathedral’s architectural history are separate subjects.