Iglesia de Santiago de Baamonde

Church of Santiago of Baamonde, image from Wikimedia Commons

The Camino del Norte includes many stops that allow you to discover very undervalued and little-known corners in Galicia. The stage that ends in Baamonde offers us the opportunity to discover an architectural, historical and natural complex. The main attraction is the church of Santiago de Baamonde, but there is also a calvary and a centenary chestnut tree (more than 500 years old) with the virgin sculpted inside.

A church with many interruptions

The construction process of this church is very particular, due to the numerous interruptions that occurred in the process. Its construction began in the 9th century, the main nave was built in the 12th century and the main chapel was completed in the 15th century. In addition, this chapel collapsed in the Irmandiña Revolt, and was rebuilt shortly after.

The church is of Romanesque origin, and from the first stage of construction in the 9th century, a prism-shaped stone is preserved under the main altar. The nave has Romanesque traces, which can be seen on the main portal and on the south wall. These Romanesque features are a sign of the influence of the pilgrimage to Santiago. On the other hand, it has Gothic elements such as the solid buttresses and the apse window, which already has a pointed arch.

In the 18th century, the triple cross was added, which forms the Calvary. The central one shows Christ and the Virgin of Dolorosa, while those on the sides are plain. The belfry and the sacristy are also later additions.

The centennial chestnut also attracts attention, and it is that it has the function of a chapel. In 1971 this tree was about to be felled, but the sculptor Víctor Corral carved an altar with an image of the Virgen del Rosario, patron saint of Baamonde, in the hollow inside the tree. Thanks to this, the tree was pardoned and consecrated as a chapel.