The Churches of Santiago de Compostela, a diachronic analysis of their orientations

A diachronic analysis of nearly 50 churches in Santiago de Compostela's historic city reveals two distinct orientation patterns before the Council of Trent (16th century). The first aligns with canonical equinox prescriptions, possibly influenced by the Cathedral's orientation. The second deviates slightly southward from due east, potentially shaped by medieval urban planning. Post-Trent churches prioritized façade alignment with main streets, shifting away from traditional solar orientations.

González-García, A. C., & Lianou, V. (2024). The Churches of Santiago de Compostela, a diachronic analysis of their orientations. Journal of Astronomy in Culture, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.5070/ac3.33511