Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos, Santiago de Compostela

This 5 star hotel was built in 1492 to shelter pilgrims. Today this building, in Plateresque and Renaissance styles, serves as Parador de Turismo, the best of Santiago de Compostela. From the outside it's also beautiful, hehehe.

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The construction of this building was commissioned in 1.501 by the Catholic Monarchs in order to take care of the sick and the pilgrims, and it was designed by the royal architect Enrique Egás.

Right now, it's a luxury hotel (see the Accommodation section), and it belongs to Paradores Nacionales network.

Note from the website: Only visitable for groups and individuals accompanied by a professional tourist guide. Open: Sunday-Friday, 11.30 am-2 pm and 4.30-6.30 pm. Price: € 1, Monday free. Duration: 20 min. Maximum number of persons per group: 30. Visitable itinerary: the Hostal’s four courtyards (“Capilla Real” –royal chapel– is visible through glass screen) (Nov. '08).

The northern side of the Praza do Obradoiro is occupied by the Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos, as a royal hospital and hospice built by Ferdinand V of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile for pilgrims in the sixteenth century. Today this building, in Plateresque and Renaissance styles, is a parador, five star hotel, and one of the most luxurious hotels in Galicia.

The amazing balconies on the building’s main façade were designed by Frey Tomás Alonso. These balconies are supported by fantastic figures and the cornice of the building is decorated with grotesque gargoyles that stand out.

Inside the building, there are four remarkable courtyards: 2 Plateresque styled and 2 Baroque styled. There is also a chapel inside the Hostal that was declared National Monument in 1912.

Nowadays, the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos is one of the most luxurious inns in Spain (Parador).

This monument - Catholic Monarchs Hostel - is also known as Hospital Real (Royal Hospital). Its construction was ordered by the Catholic Monarchs to house the pilgrims and the sick as celebration of the discovery of America (I guess the gold that paid for the construction came from overseas). The royal architect Enrique Egás designed this building that was later refurbished in the Baroque period.

The façade has several details from distinct styles: Renaissance, Baroque and Plateresque. In the façade can be seen the statues of the 12 apostles, Adam and Eve, St Catherine, St John the Baptist, St Lucy and Mary Magdalene. There are also medallions with Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.

This building has a Royal Chamber - the room where the King slept when visiting Santiago de Compostela. The window of the Royal Chamber is bordered by the images of Christ and the Virgin, and by St James, St John the Evangelist, St Peter and St Paul.

The construction of the present-day building was commissioned in 1501 by the Catholic Monarchs in order to take care of the sick and the pilgrims of the divine Xacobe, according to the Latin inscription along the fa?ade?s upper frieze. Nevertheless, its construction had already been decided in 1492, coinciding with the discovery of America.