Casa do Cabildo (Town Hall), Santiago de Compostela

Casa do Cabildo (Town Hall), Santiago de Compostela

Town Hall is a remarkable architectural gem that captivates the attention of pilgrims and visitors to the city. This magnificent building serves as a decorative wall to enhance the grandeur of the cathedral square. Despite its appearance as a substantial structure, it is interesting to note that Town Hall is actually a stage curtain, merely four meters thick, designed to preserve the aesthetic appeal of the square.

The architectural design of Town Hall was envisioned by Clemente Fernández Sarela, a prominent architect of the Galician Baroque and a disciple of Fernando de Casas Novoa, the renowned author of the cathedral façade of the Obradoiro. Constructed between 1754 and 1758, Town Hall stands as one of the finest examples of Galician Baroque architecture, showcasing the artistic mastery of its creator.

The beauty of the Town Hall lies in its ornate adornments and the skillful use of granite plates carved into various geometric forms, which embellish the well-known baroque squares of Compostela. The building's exterior boasts impressive architectural features, including two large gargoyles positioned on the corners of its cornice, adding a touch of grandeur and intrigue to its appearance.

In 2011, Town Hall underwent a meticulous restoration process led by the Santiago Consortium, with the aim of including it in the group of museums located in the historic city center. Today, it serves as an exhibition building that welcomes visitors from all around the world. Situated in the Platerías square, alongside the cathedral and the former Bank of Spain building, which now houses the Museum of the Pilgrimages and of Santiago, Casa do Cabildo is an essential destination for anyone exploring the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Santiago de Compostela. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Casa do Cabildo (Town Hall) on Map

Sight Name: Casa do Cabildo (Town Hall)
Sight Location: Santiago de Compostela, Spain (See walking tours in Santiago de Compostela)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Create Your Own Walk in Santiago de Compostela

Create Your Own Walk in Santiago de Compostela

Creating your own self-guided walk in Santiago de Compostela is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Santiago de Compostela Introduction Walking Tour

Santiago de Compostela Introduction Walking Tour

Legend has it that after Saint James, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, was martyred in Jerusalem in 44 AD, his followers carried his decapitated body by sea to Spain. Others claim that the saintly remains were miraculously taken up by angels and sailed to the coast of Galicia, where a massive rock closed around it and was later moved to its final resting place.

Either way, during the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles