Santiago de Compostela (Old Town)


World Heritage Identification Number: 347

World Heritage since: 1985

Category: Cultural Heritage

Transboundary Heritage: No

Endangered Heritage: No

Country: 🇪🇸 Spain

Continent: Europe

UNESCO World Region: Europe and North America

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Santiago de Compostela (Old Town): A Spiritual and Architectural Gem in Northwest Spain

The Old Town of Santiago de Compostela, located in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwest Spain, stands as a testament to the rich history, spiritual significance, and architectural prowess of the Iberian Peninsula. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, this urban area has captivated visitors for centuries with its intricate blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque structures, making it one of the world's most stunning urban landscapes.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

This famous pilgrimage site in north-west Spain became a symbol in the Spanish Christians' struggle against Islam. Destroyed by the Muslims at the end of the 10th century, it was completely rebuilt in the following century. With its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings, the Old Town of Santiago is one of the world's most beautiful urban areas. The oldest monuments are grouped around the tomb of St James and the cathedral, which contains the remarkable Pórtico de la Gloria.

Encyclopedia Record: Old Town of Santiago de Compostela

The Old Town of Santiago de Compostela is an urban area of the Galician capital that is characterized by its ancient and monumental architecture.

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Additional Site Details

Area: 107.59 hectares

UNESCO Criteria: (i) — Masterpiece of human creative genius
(ii) — Significant interchange of human values
(vi) — Directly associated with events or living traditions

Coordinates: 42.88076 , -8.54468

Image

Image of Santiago de Compostela (Old Town)

© Vasco Roxo, CC BY-SA 3.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)

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Nearby World Heritage Sites

Tower of Hercules
57 km — Spain
Roman Walls of Lugo
82 km — Spain
Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga
148 km — Portugal
Las Médulas
152 km — Spain
Historic Centre of Guimarães and Couros Zone
161 km — Portugal

Country Information: Spain

Flag of Spain

Official Name: Kingdom of Spain

Capital: Madrid

Continent: Europe

Population (2024): 48,807,137

Population (2023): 48,347,910

Population (2022): 47,786,102

Land Area: 499,730 sq km

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Country Data Sources

Last updated: January 18, 2026

Portions of the page Santiago de Compostela (Old Town) are based on data from UNESCO — World Heritage List Dataset and on text from the Wikipedia article Old Town of Santiago de Compostela, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes made. Additional original content by World Heritage Explorer (WHE), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. WHE is not affiliated with UNESCO or the World Heritage Committee. Legal Notice. Privacy Policy.

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