Capela das Reliquias

Capela das Reliquias (Chapel of Relics, Spanish: Capilla de las Reliquias) is a compact but historically dense chapel tucked inside the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the Galician capital and final destination of the Camino de Santiago. While most visitors head straight for the main altar and the tomb of Saint James, this lesser-known corner of the cathedral rewards a short detour.

Where exactly is the chapel located?

The Chapel of Relics sits within the cathedral complex of Santiago de Compostela, in the section managed by the Cathedral Museum (Museo Catedral). It is not a freestanding building but a room built into the fabric of the church, adjoining the former Chapel of San Fernando. Visiting it is part of the cathedral's paid museum route, which is separate from the freely accessible main nave.

What is the history behind this space?

The room that now houses the chapel originally served the cathedral chapter as a meeting space for canons. It was only in 1641 that the area was designated to hold sacred remains transferred from the neighboring Chapel of San Fernando. From that point on, the space became the cathedral's relic treasury, gradually accumulating further objects of veneration donated to the cathedral over the following centuries.

What relics and objects can visitors see?

The centerpiece of the chapel is a large retable (altarpiece), fronted by sculpted images and display cases holding roughly seventy relics in total. Among them are fragments of garments attributed to the Virgin Mary, bones said to belong to some of the eleven thousand virgins venerated in Christian hagiography, and a relic believed to be a tooth of Saint Teresa of Ávila. Many of these objects entered the cathedral's collection during the Middle Ages, a period when trading and exchanging saints' remains between churches was common practice and a significant marker of institutional prestige.

Are kings buried in the chapel?

Yes — since the 16th century, the Chapel of Relics has also served as the cathedral's Royal Pantheon. It holds the remains of monarchs and notable figures connected to the historic medieval Kingdom of Galicia. The combination of a relic treasury and royal burial site gives the chapel a distinctive dual character, blending the veneration of saints with the memory of the region's rulers.

How can visitors see the chapel?

The Chapel of Relics forms part of the cathedral's paid museum itinerary, separate from the free entrance to the main body of the church. The cathedral itself is open to worshippers and visitors daily, while access to the museum area, including this chapel, follows the ticket office and entry hours set by the museum — it is worth checking the cathedral's official website before a visit, since hours can vary seasonally. In recent years the chapel underwent conservation work that restored its original appearance and improved the display of the relics kept inside.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is entry to Capela das Reliquias free? No, visiting the chapel requires a ticket for the cathedral's museum route; only the main nave of the cathedral remains free to enter.

How is this chapel different from the Pórtico da Gloria? They are separate spaces within the cathedral: the Pórtico da Gloria is the famous sculpted portal with its own separate reservation system, while the Chapel of Relics is a relic treasury and royal burial site visited as part of the museum tour.

How many relics are kept in the chapel? Available descriptions put the number at around seventy relics, including fragments of garments associated with the Virgin Mary and objects linked to medieval saint veneration.

Is it worth visiting this chapel? Yes, for anyone interested in the cathedral's history and pilgrimage tradition, it combines sacred art, the history of relic veneration, and the memory of Galicia's medieval rulers — a quieter counterpart to the main altar, but one of comparable historical weight.