St. James Research Paper

There are two staircases near the figure of James. Everyone can touch the statue’s hand and kiss it on the shoulder, climbing up on the pedestal. Believers ask for the intercession of the saint. Of course, the main goal of the pilgrims is the worship of the relics of St. James (see figure 2). Figure 2
Although, there are still many attractions: for example, there is a thorn from Jesus Christ’s crown of thorns. Today, the pilgrimage to Compostela is of equal importance as the walk to Jerusalem (Campbell, 13). A multitude of the believers rush to the Spanish city where the holy relics lay. In today's Santiago, everything is prepared for tourists and pilgrims – there are many hotels, inexpensive restaurants, cafeterias and large parking lots …show more content…
However, due to the fact that its appearance has undergone many changes and no longer produces the previous experience. The walls of the north and south facades with their high galleries are divided into several rough blind arcades, which resemble strongly a flat construction of the aqueduct, while the eastern part of the altar has a richer and more detailed articulation. The lower tier of the chapel is decorated with frequent half-pylons, which are interspersed with the deep molded window openings (Santamaría, 481). Blind arcades are situated at the top two tiers of the altar. At the same time, the east wall of the transept, with the exception of the chapels, looks flat. The light enters the cathedral through the windows in the aisles and galleries, as well as through the central tower. Thus, the vast nave is not illuminated directly. A number of windows are situated only in wedding chapels, and the direct light makes a great contribution to the mystical lighting Sanctuary and the holy relics of the martyr. Unfortunately, the original natural light of the cathedral could not be fully reproduced because of the subsequent rearrangements, however, the effect of the gloom amazes visitors. The Cathedral of St. James has a museum: a rich collection of religious art is situated at four levels, the most valuable of which belonged to another "Old Cathedral" of the 9th century. Here one can see a …show more content…
Two majestic symmetrical towers are decorated with the statues of the father and mother of the Apostle. The North facade is the oldest one (1075-1122); it is made in the Romanesque style, facing the great path of Santiago. The pilgrims can see it, approaching their goal. On the facade, one can see the statue of the Apostle praying with two kings at his feet: Alfonso II and Ordoño II (Campbell, 19). The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela has several unique features. The predominant feature is a portico Gloria (1188), i.e. a group of sculptures that was created under the direction of master Mateo; it was executed with a great naturalism (Santamaría, 471). The demons look particularly natural; they take up position, predictably, at the bottom of the composition. All three arches are decorated richly with the biblical figures - the Christ is in the center, and the apostles and the 24 elders of the Apocalypse are situated next to him. Saint James is situated at the bottom of the Christ’s figure. Pilgrims try to stick their hands up behind the center column, under the statue of St. James, and find a small figure of the humpback saint. According to the legend, if one touches this column, it gives a person intelligence and memory. There are several visible attritions on the

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