Galicia-Santiago de Compostela
By: Tara Fugate and Julie Okorn
What is this Monument?
This Monument is a cathedral in the Galicia region of northwestern Spain. It is a shrine to Saint James the Apostle who is the patron saint of Spain. It is a place of pilgramage, catholics across the world travel to pray at this glorious cathedral. This church gave independence to the Spanish Catholics from the Roman Church.
Who is it named for?Why?
The cathedral was named after Saint James the Apostle. He is the patron saint of Spain and was the first person to preach the gospel to Spain. The cathedral is the shrine for Saint James and it is built over his burial site, which was discovered by a shepard in the early 9th century. Since this cathedral was built in order to worship Saint James, it only makes sense that it is named after him.
When was it built and how long did it take?
This cathedral was built in honor of Saint James in the early ninth century and was
completed in a.d.874. Although it was completed at this time the catherdral would be destroyed in a.d. 997 by al-Mansur when he destroyed the city where the cathedral is located. Construction of the cathedral that we know today began in a.d.1075 and was finished in a.d.1211. In total, the church took over four centuries to be constructed.
Santiago de Compostela-(Visual Image) (Avalible)
<http://www.hotelsancarlos.net/imagenes/secciones/enlaces/catedral2.jpg> February 16,2007
Why was it built?
This cathedral was built as a shrine to Saint James the Apostle also known as The Greater.
It is built over the final resting place of this patron saint of Spain, Saint James. It was built to commemorate
and honor the memory of this prominant figure is Spanish history. It was built to rival the cathedrals of Rome and
makes Spanish Catholics proud.
How does this landmark reflect or help define the culture of Spain?
This landmark relflects the culture of Spain beacause it was built for the patron saint of Spain and
for the Catholic population of Spain. Throughout history it has become one of the most spiritual worship centers of Western Catholics. This growth has not only contributed to the religion in Spain but has brought many people to this beautiful country. It is a historical monument and represents the birth of Catholicism in Spain and how it has integrated itself into the Spanish culture.
Works Cited
"Santiago de Compostela." Dictionary of the Middle Ages. 13 vols. American Council of Learned Societies. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1989.
Reproduced in History Resource Center. 16 Feb.2007 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/History/>
"Santiago de Compostela." Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture. 5 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1996.
Reproduced in History Resource Center. 16 Feb. 2007 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/History/>
Saint James-(visual image) (available)
http://www.blindchicken.com/~ali/spain2003/santiago/dscn0625.jpg February 16,2007
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.