Museo de Arte Sacro de San Paio de Antealtares

Sacred art museum of the oldest Benedictine monastery in Santiago, with goldsmiths' work, sculpture, painting and the Ara de Antealtares (altar stone).

Opening hoursAdmission €3

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About the museum

Antealtares was the first monastery of Compostela. It arose in the 9th century at the wish of Alfonso II of Asturias, who brought twelve Benedictine monks to guard the relics of the Apostle. At the end of the 15th century male monastic life declined and, in 1499, by order of the Catholic Monarchs, Friar Rodrigo de Valencia united the female Benedictine priories of Galicia and appointed Beatriz de Acuña as abbess, with a group of observant nuns; San Paio thus became the centre of the reform of the order's women's monasteries in Galicia. Since then the community of Benedictine nuns has lived here to the present day.

The museum, which is owned by the Church and belongs to the Benedictine community, opened to the public in April 1971 to show the artistic treasures of the monastery. Access is through the church of San Paio, opposite the Holy Door of the cathedral. In recent years it has been renovated, has carried out preventive conservation campaigns and launched a new website.

The collections include goldsmiths' work from the 15th to the 20th centuries, stone and wood sculpture, a Romanesque crucified Christ of the 13th century and several images of the Virgin, painting on Benedictine themes, liturgical vestments mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries, and archive documents dating from the 10th century. The best-known piece is the Ara de Antealtares, a marble altar which tradition links with the earliest tomb of the Apostle Saint James.

Highlights

Ara de Antealtares, linked by tradition to the earliest tomb of Saint James
Romanesque crucified Christ of the 13th century and sculptures of the Virgin
Goldsmiths' work from the 15th to 20th centuries and Baroque liturgical vestments
Archive documents from the 10th century
Museum of the first monastery of Compostela, opposite the Holy Door of the cathedral

Permanent exhibition

Colección de arte sacro – Goldsmiths' work from the 15th to 20th centuries, stone and wood sculpture, Benedictine painting, liturgical vestments, archive documents from the 10th century and the Ara de Antealtares.

Founded: 1971
Operated by: Comunidad benedictina de San Paio de Antealtares

Admission & discounts

Adults	€3
Reduced	€1.50Students, teachers, members of religious orders, unemployed people and accredited pilgrims
Children & teens	freefree up to age 11 · Free admission for children under 12 when accompanied.
Visitors with disabilities	freeFree admission for people with disabilities, on accreditation.
Groups (10+ people)	€1.50 per personPer person, from 10 people.

Private museum of the Benedictine community: admission is by donation according to these rates. Free admission also for ICOM members, on accreditation at the desk. Tickets are not sold online.