Iglesia de Santiago de Triacastela

Iglesia de Santiago de Triacastela - Wikimedia Commons / Alejandro Moreno Calvo

Triacastela, a municipality in Lugo known especially for being an important point of pilgrimage for decades and for having the most famous tree on the Camino de Santiago, also stands out for being home to one of the few monuments on this part of the French Way dedicated to the Apostle: the Church of Santiago.

A Romanesque church that has undergone a thorough renovation

The Church of Santiago de Triacastela was built in the 9th century and its origin is Romanesque, preserving almost the entire floor plan of this style, which is very interesting for being built with materials such as slabs. In addition, this church was originally dedicated to Saint Paul and Saint Peter.

Decades later, specifically in the 18th century, major reforms were carried out that gave it the appearance that we know today. Thus, we are in front of a baroque temple in which its tower of neoclassical style stands out, and in which we can find three castles that refer to those that existed in Triacastela and that gave the town its name.

Inside, we can appreciate different altarpieces. The one on the south side contains the Virgen Dolorosa and the Santa Faz, and its style is neoclassical. There is also a figure of the Apostle St. James on horseback, although it is not very well preserved. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the altarpiece of the main altar is characterised by its clear Baroque features.

All these elements make the Church of Santiago an obligatory visit for all pilgrims who arrive at Triacastela after a hard stage in which they also visit other incredible places such as the pallozas of O Cebreiro.