Convento de San Francisco de Valdedios, Santiago de Compostela

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No information about it or on the list of places to visit but walking past it on our way up from the carpark to turn into Rua De San Francisco taking us down to the main square and the cathedral, it was an interesting introduction to dramatic or huge and impressive buildings around.

Legend tells us that this convent was founded by Saint Franciscus of Assisi, after a revelation on his pilgrimship to Santiago, during 1213 to 1215. God told him he should buy land from the monks of Saint Martin's Monastery for the symbolic price of a basket of fish, and then build a monastery. Little is left of the original Gothic building. The monastery as we see it today was built in 17th and 18th centuries.

The Convent of San Francisco de Valdedios is Baroque style and was built in the 17th century and later refurbished in the 18th century, accordingly to a Simão Rodriguez design (neoclassical). The St Francis image was introduced then and was manufactured by artisan José Ferreiro.

The legend says that this Convent was founded by St Francis of Assisi in 1214 during his visit to Santiago de Compostela, on a place called Val de Dios (Valley of God).

Nowadays, there is a Museum attached to this convent - The Holy Land Museum that exhibits objects related to Holy Places and to pilgrimage tradition.