Museo das Peregrinacións e de Santiago

About the museum

In 1951 the Museo de Santiago y de las Peregrinaciones was created on the joint initiative of the central and local administrations, with the aim of offering a view of the birth and evolution of the city and, in particular, of the pilgrimage as the force that generated the urban centre. The need for such a museum dated back to the mid-19th century and was promoted by the Real Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País and by the Galician regional exhibitions of 1858 and 1909.

Its first seat was the Casa Gótica, a 14th-century civil building acquired by the town council and renovated from 1951. After years of uncertainty, ownership passed in 1963 to the central administration, and management was transferred to the Xunta de Galicia in 1995. The museum opened permanently to the public in February 1996. A royal decree of 2007 established it as a national museum, a centre for documentation, research and interpretation of Santiago and of the pilgrimages.

In November 2015 the new exhibition seat opened in the Plaza de las Platerías, in a 1949 building that had been the seat of the Banco de España and was adapted by the architect Manuel Gallego Jorreto. The exhibition covers the pilgrimage as a universal phenomenon, the Camino de Santiago and the city of Santiago de Compostela as the goal of the pilgrimage. The Casa Gótica now serves as an administrative seat.

Highlights

• The pilgrimage as a universal phenomenon and as allegory
• The Camino de Santiago and the Jacobean pilgrim
• Jacobean iconography: St James the Apostle as pilgrim and as knight
• Origin and evolution of the cathedral and the city
• App with audio guides in Spanish Sign Language

Permanent exhibitions

• La peregrinación como fenómeno universal – Area on the pilgrimage as a phenomenon and as allegory, with the great Christian pilgrimages and their origin in Jewish pilgrimage.
• La peregrinación y el Camino de Santiago – A route through the history, tradition and legend of St James, the routes, the Jacobean pilgrim, iconography and the presence of St James in the world.
• La ciudad de Santiago de Compostela – Area on the evolution of the shrine and the cathedral, urban and economic development and the survival of the pilgrimage.

Founded

1951

Operated by

Xunta de Galicia

Director

María Esperanza Gigirey Liste

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

According to the museum's website, admission is free because of the exceptional situation caused by COVID-19; visitors must collect a ticket at reception and keep it until the end of the visit.

Accessibility

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

Accessible entrance, with no steps or changes of level, barrier-free interior spaces, a lift and an adapted toilet; the museum lends wheelchairs. For visually impaired visitors there are touch stations with Braille materials and tactile flooring; for hearing-impaired visitors, induction loops and an accessible app in Spanish Sign Language. The museum's basic information is prepared with pictograms for cognitive accessibility (CIMA/ALLURE).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The “Museo en Familia” programme offers workshops and activities for children and families every autumn, some with a sign language interpreter; most require prior registration. Children must always be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

There is a cloakroom; backpacks, large bags, suitcases, umbrellas and tripods are not admitted to the galleries. Eating and drinking are not allowed in the exhibition areas.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum has an auditorium that can be requested for events via a form on its website.

Plan your visit