The Crypt of the Pórtico de la Gloria of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in the 17th and 18th Centuries

Abstract

The original function of the crypt of the Portico of the Glory has been an object of multiple speculations for historians, particularly in the last few years, without analysing the uses of this space in recent centuries. I study here the 17th and 18th centuries during which the crypt space was treated a true worship space. In modern times the site is regarded as an underground extension credited to Maestro Mateo on the occassion of the construction of the exterior access “scirrors stairs” that ascend to the cathedral from the Plaza of the Obradoiro. Built in 1606, there were further modifications when the new baroque cathedral façade was constructed in 1738. Since these times, the crypt consists of an entrance way from the square with a short corridor and access hall; a nave in two sections; a transept in four sections; two sacristies flanking the hall and nave; and finally a polygonal sanctuary area arranged around a large central pillar that has a rectangular apse and four niches, two rectangular and two semicircular. A staircase rises from the first section of the north transept to the Gospel nave of the basilica proper above. By contrast, its matching staircase on the south transept was walled up because of the construction of the cathedral cloister in the sixteenth century due to concerns about the stability of the Bell Tower also on the south site of the basilica. It seems that as of 20 March 1617 the Obradoiro entrance was still permanently open because the cathedral Chapter then decided to enclose it with an open grille to help illumine the interior. The canons agreed to consistently lock the door of the interior staircase as well. Their idea was not open these doors except for unspecified needs or to allow “for any devotion by pilgrims”.