Museums in Santiago de Compostela to enjoy
Table of Contents
Museums in Santiago de Compostela: The Pobo Galego museum
If we find ourselves in Santiago wanting to learn about Galician culture and folklore, there is a place that we cannot miss.
The Museo do Pobo Galego is one of the most emblematic museums in Santiago de Compostela in all of Galicia. Founded in 1976, its main objective is to preserve, study and disseminate the culture, history and traditions of the Galician people. The museum is located in the old convent of San Domingos de Bonaval, a unique architectural space that has a triple helical staircase designed by architect Domingo de Andrade.
Galicia travels products
-
Wine and cheese tasting in Santiago
25,00€ Select date(s) This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Rias Baixas Excursion
Price range: 30,00€ through 55,00€ Select date(s) This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
French Way
Price range: 360,00€ through 2.150,00€ Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Sale!
Finisterre, Muxía, Costa da Morte
Price range: 20,00€ through 49,00€ Select date(s) This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
What does this museum offer?
The museum offers a wide collection that reflects traditional Galician life in various aspects. Its rooms are dedicated to topics such as:
- The sea and fishing: The importance of seafaring life in Galicia, with the trades and customs that revolve around the Atlantic.
- Agriculture and livestock: Exhibitions on tools, techniques and rituals related to work in the field and the care of animals.
- Popular architecture: A sample of traditional Galician architectural styles, such as granaries and pallozas.
- Traditional clothing and costumes: Exhibitions on different costumes and their social and cultural relevance.
- Beliefs and traditions: Includes festivals, rituals and cultural manifestations typical of Galicia, from the Entroido to traditional music.
- Music and dance: Traditional instruments, such as the bagpipes and tambourine, and clothing related to folk dance.
One of the most characteristic elements of the museum is the triple helical staircase, where three stairs twist around a single axis without crossing. This architectural work is one of the most admired and photographed by visitors.
Educational activities, guided tours and temporary exhibitions are also offered to help connect people with Galician cultural heritage. In addition, it has a library specialized in Galician topics and ethnography, open to the public.
The Museum can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday and offers reduced rates for students, retirees and groups.
Museum of Pilgrimages and Santiago
And to know more about the Camino de Santiago, a fundamental concept of Santiago de Compostela and Galician culture, we have another place we should go.
The Museum of Pilgrimages and Santiago is a cultural space located in Plaza de Platerías, dedicated to exploring and disseminating the history of pilgrimages over the centuries, especially the Camino de Santiago and its impact on the city and Europe. . It was inaugurated in 1951 and is located in the Gothic House, a historic building that preserves medieval architectural elements.
Read also: Best excursions from Santiago in 2024
What to see in this museum
The museum houses a rich collection of historical objects, art and documents that show the evolution of pilgrimages and the importance of the Camino de Santiago. Its exhibitions are organized around several themes:
- The history of the Camino de Santiago: Shows how the Jacobean pilgrimage arose in the Middle Ages, its expansion throughout Europe and the role of the Cathedral of Santiago as an arrival point
- The symbols and culture of pilgrimages: Iconic elements such as the scallop shell and the staff, as well as other symbols related to the pilgrim, stand out here.
- Spirituality and the meaning of the journey: This section delves into the spiritual and religious motives of the pilgrims, exploring how the Camino influenced their lives and beliefs.
- Pilgrimage routes: Representation of the different routes that make up the Camino de Santiago, such as the French Way, the Primitive Way and the Vía de la Plata, which can be traveled in Spain and other European countries.
- Art and culture around the Camino: A sample of artistic works (paintings, sculptures and manuscripts) that reflect the spiritual, cultural and historical value of pilgrimages.
In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the museum organizes temporary exhibitions, talks, workshops and educational activities that seek to promote a greater understanding of the phenomenon of pilgrimage. It also offers guided tours, especially useful for those who want to delve deeper into the history and details of the collections.
The Museum of Pilgrimages and Santiago is an essential visit for those who wish to understand the historical and cultural context of the Camino de Santiago. It opens from Tuesday to Sunday, and has reduced tickets for certain groups, as well as free access at some times.
In short, these are two museums that we cannot miss on our visit to Santiago de Compostela, and that will reveal to us the secrets of culture and folklore, so present today in Galicia.
Read also: 6 excursions activities from Santiago
What other activities can you do in the Galician capital?
Today the city of Santiago offers a large number of activities. In addition to museums in Santiago, it has an endless number of very different possibilities. Such as, for example, the trips and tours organized by Galicia. Today there are numerous agencies in charge of organizing them.
An example of this is Galicia Travels, which has been dedicated for many years to teaching Santiago and its surroundings to people from all over the world, especially pilgrims. Hiring experiences and excursions of all kinds, such as the famous 7 stops to Finisterre and Muxía, is very simple . With just one click, anyone wherever they are can enjoy one of these trips.