Catedral Basilica de Santiago de Compostela

Catedral Basilica de Santiago de Compostela - Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. Initially built in 1075-1211. The Baroque west façade facing the Plaza de Obradorio was added in 1740. "... the Cathedral, the most important monument of the early-Romanesque style in Spain. The building of the present church began in 1078 or 1082 under Bishop Diego Primero Peldez, was zealously furthered by the first archbishop, Diego Segundo Gelmírez (1100-1130), and went on during the whole of the 12th century. The consecration took place in 1211. ... The W. Façade, known as El Obradoiro, was erected by Fernando Casus y Novoa in 1738 and is in the most extravagant baroque style. On the ramps of the wide flight of steps in front of it, arranged in four sections, some Romanesque sculptures have been placed. The huge gable is surmounted by a statue of St. James and flanked by two towers, each 230 ft. high and resting on Romanesque foundations".--Baedeker 1913. Santiago de Compostela (Old Town) UNESCO World Heritage site. IMG_8595