Colexiata de Santa María a Real do Sar
A 12th-century Romanesque church in Santiago de Compostela, famed for its unique tilting columns and later flying buttresses.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Colexiata de Santa María a Real do Sar
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A 12th-century Romanesque church in Santiago de Compostela, famed for its unique tilting columns and later flying buttresses.
"A 12th-century gem with peaceful atmosphere and wonderfully tilting columns."
🎟️ Affordable Entry
Admission is just €2, or free if you have a Cathedral museum ticket. Donations are appreciated!
🚶♀️ Short Walk from Old Town
Easily accessible, just a 10-minute walk from Santiago's historic center.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Tilting Interior Columns
Nave
Witness the astonishing sight of 12th-century columns that visibly lean outwards, a testament to Romanesque engineering.
Exterior Flying Buttresses
Exterior
Marvel at the 18th-century flying buttresses, a later addition that supports the ancient walls and prevents collapse.
Romanesque Architecture
Interior
Experience the pure, unadorned beauty of one of the oldest churches in Santiago, showcasing authentic Romanesque style.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
A Romanesque Gem with a Twist
Timing Your Visit
Best Times
Insider Tips
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Sarria to Santiago de Compostela in July
🎟️ Affordable Entry
Admission is just €2, or free if you have a Cathedral museum ticket. Donations are appreciated!
🚶♀️ Short Walk from Old Town
Easily accessible, just a 10-minute walk from Santiago's historic center.
Things to do when I arrive in Santiago de Compostela tomorrow
What to do in Santiago?
☀️ Admire the Light
Look for the beautiful sunbeams filtering through the upper windows.
🏛️ Adjacent Museum
Explore the small adjoining museum for a deeper dive into its history.
Sarria to Santiago: how busy is it now?
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ Affordable Entry
Admission is just €2, or free if you have a Cathedral museum ticket. Donations are appreciated!
🚶♀️ Short Walk from Old Town
Easily accessible, just a 10-minute walk from Santiago's historic center.
☀️ Admire the Light
Look for the beautiful sunbeams filtering through the upper windows.
🏛️ Adjacent Museum
Explore the small adjoining museum for a deeper dive into its history.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Colexiata de Santa María a Real do Sar as a unique and historically significant Romanesque gem, particularly noting its fascinating tilting columns and supportive flying buttresses. The affordable entry and peaceful atmosphere are also highlighted as major draws, making it a worthwhile, albeit brief, stop in Santiago.
"A small church but a very unique one. It's columns are tilting. It may not be very evident from the photos but a close looks will reveal the tilt. It's wonderdul"
Stanly Wilson
"Literally 10 min walk from the old city lays a 12th century gem of a church, with peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. The ticket is €2, but if you have already bought the Cathedral museum ticket - it’s free. Although I encourage you to leave some donations. I felt so blessed inside! The church is known for its leaning columns inside, but for me, the presence of the Spirit, was the biggest joy. Look at the photo with the beaming sun light through the upper window - that is beautiful! The church has a small adjacent museum."
Ira Hoyer
"The colegiata represents one of the oldest churches you can visit in Santiago. It has a small adjoining museum and a patio where you get to see a very nice stone corridor. The church itself is also an exMple of how old churches with stone ceiling tend to push on the walls: they are all leaning out and the traditiinal solution of a stone external reinforcement has been applied, completely worth the visit."
Manuel Urquidi
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The church is conveniently located about a 10-minute walk from the historic center of Santiago de Compostela. Simply head west from the Cathedral area, and you'll find it easily.
Parking in the immediate vicinity can be challenging due to its location within a historic area. It's best to park in one of the public parking garages in Santiago and walk or take a short taxi ride.
While walking is the most common and recommended way, local buses do serve the general area. Check local bus routes for the most up-to-date information.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Opening hours can vary, so it's advisable to check locally or online before your visit. Typically, it's open during daylight hours for visitors to explore.
The admission fee is very affordable, usually around €2. If you have already purchased a ticket for the Cathedral museum, entry to the church is often included.
For this small church, advance booking is generally not required. You can usually purchase tickets upon arrival.
As it is a place of worship, modest dress is recommended. Shoulders and knees should be covered out of respect.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The church is famous for its 12th-century columns that visibly lean outwards. This unique feature is a result of the immense pressure from the stone ceiling over centuries.
The external flying buttresses were added in the 18th century to provide structural support and prevent the ancient walls from collapsing due to the outward thrust of the roof.
Yes, there is a small adjoining museum that houses historical artifacts, and a patio with a stone corridor.
A visit to Colexiata de Santa María a Real do Sar is usually quite short, often around 30 minutes to an hour, allowing you to appreciate its unique features without feeling rushed.
Absolutely! The tilting columns, the ancient architecture, and the way sunlight streams through the windows offer excellent photographic opportunities.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
While the immediate area around the church is more residential, you are a short walk away from numerous cafes and restaurants in Santiago de Compostela's old town.
No, food and drinks are not permitted inside the church out of respect for the sacred space.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Its proximity to the main attractions in Santiago means it can easily be incorporated into a family's itinerary without adding significant travel time. The affordable entry fee also makes it a budget-friendly option for families looking to explore the city's historical offerings. Remember to encourage kids to look closely and observe the unique architectural features.
🏛️ History Buffs
The leaning columns and the flying buttresses tell a story of engineering, adaptation, and resilience over centuries. The small museum further enriches the experience by providing historical context and showcasing ancient artifacts. It’s a site that rewards a deeper appreciation for its architectural and historical narrative.
🚶♀️ Day-Trippers from Santiago
Its compact size means you can explore it thoroughly in about 30-60 minutes, making it perfect for fitting into a busy day of sightseeing. The low entry fee and the unique visual appeal of the tilting columns make it a worthwhile detour.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Marvel of Leaning Columns
This natural inclination of the structure highlights the engineering challenges faced by builders of the era. The church's survival is a testament to both the original construction and the subsequent efforts to preserve it. The visual impact of these leaning columns creates a truly memorable and slightly surreal experience for anyone who steps inside.
When visiting, take your time to walk along the nave and observe the columns from different angles. The subtle yet distinct tilt is a powerful reminder of the forces of nature and time acting upon even the most solid-seeming constructions. It's a detail that many visitors find particularly captivating and worth the small admission fee.
Engineering Resilience: Flying Buttresses
The presence of these buttresses is a visual cue to the church's long and complex history. They represent a later intervention, a testament to the ongoing efforts to preserve this significant piece of Romanesque heritage. While the interior showcases the original architectural challenges, the exterior displays the ingenious solutions developed over time to ensure its longevity.
Observing the flying buttresses from the outside provides a different perspective on the church's engineering. They are a crucial part of its story, demonstrating how historical buildings are often a blend of original design and subsequent adaptations. This blend makes the Colexiata a fascinating study in architectural resilience and historical preservation.
A Glimpse into History: The Museum
The museum also often features elements like a stone corridor, adding another layer to the exploration of the site. For those interested in the historical context and the evolution of the church, this small exhibition is a valuable addition to the visit. It provides a more intimate understanding of the site's significance.
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