Museo da Colexiata do Sar

About the museum

The collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor de Sar was founded in 1136 by Archbishop Diego Xelmírez for a community of canons of the Augustinian order. It was secularised in 1548 and became a collegiate church; today it is a parish of the diocese of Santiago. It retains the medieval church and the north cloister, and is one of the outstanding examples of Compostelan Romanesque.

The museum, founded in 1975, occupies a building beside the south side of the church and is spread over several rooms. It was closed for a time for lack of resources and reopened after museological and museographic adaptation works, under the management of the Fundación Catedral de Santiago and its Compostela Sacra programme.

The collection includes architectural elements from the old Romanesque cloister, Baroque sculptures, goldwork and liturgical ornaments from the 17th to the 19th centuries, and traditional Galician costumes. Among the documents, the foundation charter of the church, signed by Xelmírez, stands out. The route ends in the 18th-century cloister, which retains nine arches of the original 13th-century cloister, and the church can be entered from the museum.

Highlights

• Romanesque collegiate church of Santa María de Sar, founded in 1136
• Architectural pieces from the old Romanesque cloister, attributed to the workshop of Master Mateo
• 18th-century cloister with nine arches of the medieval cloister
• Goldwork and liturgical ornaments from the 17th to the 19th centuries
• Foundation charter of the church signed by Diego Xelmírez

Permanent exhibition

• Colección permanente – Pieces from the old Romanesque cloister, Baroque sculptures, goldwork and parish ornaments from the 17th to 19th centuries, Galician traditional costumes and the 18th-century cloister.

Founded

1975

Operated by

Fundación Catedral de Santiago

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for accredited pilgrims and for those who hold a ticket to the Cathedral Museum, the Pórtico de la Gloria or the Torre de la Carraca (on the same day or within the seven days following the date of that ticket). The MuSar ticket entitles the holder to a reduced rate at the Cathedral Museum. The museum guide costs €10.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum presents itself as an accessible monument; for accessibility enquiries you can call +34 981 562 891. Animals are not admitted, except guide dogs.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

Handbags, rucksacks, umbrellas and pilgrim staffs are not allowed on the visit.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit