{"id":3719,"date":"2026-10-09T08:56:36","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T08:56:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/?p=3719"},"modified":"2026-10-09T08:56:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T08:56:45","slug":"portico-de-la-gloria-history-meaning-and-visit-to-the-romanesque-jewel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/blog\/portico-de-la-gloria-history-meaning-and-visit-to-the-romanesque-jewel\/","title":{"rendered":"P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria: history, meaning and visit to the Romanesque jewel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria is the monumental doorway that gives access to the main nave of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela from the Plaza del Obradoiro. It is a unique work from an architectural point of view, made in granite and marble, and it combines architecture with sculpture. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria is made up of three arches that correspond to the three naves of the Cathedral.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>central arch<\/strong> is the largest and is presided over by the figure of Christ in Majesty, surrounded by the Evangelists and the prophets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>side arches<\/strong>, on both sides of the central one, are dedicated to the souls of Purgatory and to the righteous.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The whole ensemble culminates in the <strong>mullion<\/strong>, where the figure of the Apostle Santiago is placed, and in the columns and capitals that support the arches.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who made the P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria?<\/h2>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/458-22-1024x576.avif\" alt=\"P&#xF3;rtico de la Gloria\" class=\"wp-image-3706\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/458-22-1024x576.avif 1024w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/458-22-300x169.avif 300w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/458-22-768x432.avif 768w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/458-22-1536x864.avif 1536w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/458-22.avif 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria was created by Master Mateo, one of the most outstanding sculptors of European Romanesque art. Mateo worked on the Cathedral of Santiago between 1168 and 1188, and his work represented a revolution in Romanesque sculpture because of its naturalism, its expressiveness and his mastery of technique. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Master Mateo directed a workshop in which he trained numerous sculptors and stonemasons, who spread his style throughout the north of the Iberian Peninsula. His great influence can be seen in works such as the P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria, the crypt that bears his name and the stone choir of the Cathedral. Mateo&#8217;s figure is documented in the P\u00f3rtico, where he appears kneeling on the mullion, looking towards the main altar.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The meaning of the P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria is a representation of the Apocalypse of Saint John and of the Last Judgement. Each figure has a specific meaning within the ensemble. Here are the most notable elements:  <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Christ in Majesty<\/strong>: He presides over the central arch. He shows the wounds of the crucifixion and is surrounded by the four Evangelists. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Apostles<\/strong>: They surround Christ on the central arch, with their attributes and symbols.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Prophets<\/strong>: They appear on the side arches and on the jambs, announcing the coming of the Messiah.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The mullion<\/strong>: In the centre, the figure of the Apostle welcoming the pilgrims. Beneath his feet, Master Mateo is depicted kneeling. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Elders of the Apocalypse: Located on the archivolts, 24 elders with musical instruments surround the ensemble.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The souls of Purgatory and the righteous<\/strong>: On the side arches, the souls awaiting the resurrection are represented.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">History of the P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria was built between 1168 and 1188 by Master Mateo, commissioned by King Ferdinand II of Le\u00f3n and Archbishop Pedro Su\u00e1rez de Deza. This work replaced the previous Romanesque doorway, which had become too small with the crowds of pilgrims. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the centuries, the P\u00f3rtico underwent various interventions and transformations:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the <strong>16th century<\/strong>, a stone choir was added that partially concealed the doorway.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the <strong>18th century<\/strong>, the Baroque fa\u00e7ade of the Obradoiro was built, which protected the P\u00f3rtico from the weather.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the <strong>20th century<\/strong>, various restorations were carried out to slow down its deterioration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The restoration of the P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria<\/h2>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/457-22-1024x576.avif\" alt=\"P&#xF3;rtico de la Gloria\" class=\"wp-image-3705\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/457-22-1024x576.avif 1024w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/457-22-300x169.avif 300w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/457-22-768x432.avif 768w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/457-22-1536x864.avif 1536w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/457-22.avif 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The restoration of the P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria was carried out between 2009 and 2018. The process was highly detailed and multidisciplinary and involved a team of experts in conservation, art history and chemistry. The main aim was to recover the original appearance of the work and slow down its deterioration.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During this restoration, it was discovered that the P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria was originally polychrome, that is, its figures were painted in vivid colours. The various studies made it possible to recover some traces of polychromy and to learn what its original appearance was like. In addition, the stones were cleaned and consolidated, and later additions that altered the view were removed.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to visit the P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria is inside the Cathedral of Santiago; access is included with the general visit to the Cathedral. However, the number of visitors is limited in order to protect the work, so it is advisable to book in advance, especially in peak seasons. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The visit to the P\u00f3rtico is carried out in small groups and with a guide, and lasts approximately 30 minutes. During the visit, the history, meaning and restoration of the work are explained. You must not touch anything or take photos with flash. Access to the P\u00f3rtico may be restricted during liturgical celebrations.   <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is the P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria? The P\u00f3rtico de la Gloria is the monumental doorway that gives access to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3718,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3719","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sin-categorizar"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3719","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3719"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3719\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3856,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3719\/revisions\/3856"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}