The Holy Door Santiago de Compostela
by James Brunker
Title
The Holy Door Santiago de Compostela
Artist
James Brunker
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
The famous Holy Door (Puerta Santa) is the main entrance of the eastern facade of Santiago de Compostela's cathedral in northwest Spain. The site has been a major pilgrimage destination since the 9th century when, according to legends, the long lost tomb with the body of St James the Great (one of the apostles who brought Christianity to the Iberian Peninsula) was discovered. King Alfonso II ordered a church to be built on the site; this building has since been replaced by the current cathedral. Above the door are statues of St James flanked by his 2 aides Teodoro and Atanasio who accompanied him to Galicia and were supposedly buried alongside him. These sculptures were completed in 1694 and carved by local artist Pedro del Campo. The Holy Door only opens during "Holy Years", which are when July 25th (the day of St James) falls on a Sunday. The cathedral and Santiago de Compostela's Old Town were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
Photograph © James Brunker. Reproduction, transmission or publication in any form without prior written permission strictly prohibited.
Uploaded
December 2nd, 2011
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