Day Seven: The advised trip

 Day Seven - The advised trip


The Middle Ages saw books written to advise the traveller-pilgrim on what to see and who to avoid. In that spirit our last day in Compostela will involve using the modern equivalent, Tripadvisor. The top ranked place we haven’t done yet is the the Monastery of San Martin Pinario. It is open from 11-2 and 3.30 to 7.00 and is grand with all the excess in religious ornamentation which makes certain that Early Modern Iberian Catholicism held to its heard the mantra ‘it don’t mean a thing if it aint got no bling.’ https://www.espacioculturalsmpinario.com


The original monastery was built in 899. All traces of that were obliterated in the 16th century when the current structure was erected. The facade has an altarpiece structure and shows the figures of the Virgin and Child and saints Benedictine abbots. The Eternal Father chairs the triangular pediment. St. Martin of Tours completes the set on top with a classic representation: on horseback and dividing his cloak to shelter a beggar.


The main facade is oriented to the south and have front gardens that are the Plaza de la Inmaculada. It was designed by Gabriel de las Casas and her four Doric columns supporting an entablature with pinnacles. Above the door is a picture of San Benito, a large shield of Spain and San Martin riding high. In 1738 Fernando de Casas y Novoa added a large rectangular comb with the Spanish shield, finishing the whole with another image of Saint Martin distributing his cape.


At the moment part of the convent is a museum of religious art. The permanent exhibition consists of 12 rooms distributed in several floors with collections of paintings, sculptures, goldsmiths, engraving plants, liturgical vestments, archaeological remains, bibliographical collections. and on the way it can visit the old printing press, the pharmacy, the relics.


The local photo is the former chapel of St Dymphna. It served the Catholic populace until the dramatic full in makret share they experienced in recent decades.




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