Compostela and Europe.
The Story of Diego Gelmírez

Santiago de Compostela is a must in European culture. Particularly in times like these, where the Way of St. James is generating interest again. For this reason, and on the occasion of the 2010 Holy Year in Compostela, the Xunta de Galicia (Galician Regional Government) wants to commemorate one of the most glorious episodes in the history of the Way: the story of Diego Gelmirez. His actions as bishop and then archbishop of Compostela, turned Santiago’s cathedral in an unique reference of European Romanesque art, raising the pilgrimage to Compostela to the level of Jerusalem and Rome.

With the project ‘Compostela and Europe. The story of Diego Gelmirez’, the Xunta de Galicia through the Management Society of the Xacobean Plan is banking on the international character of St. James’ Way. For the very first time, the Xunta will be taking a great exhibition through three European cities: Paris, Rome and Santiago de Compostela, thus reactivating in year 2010 the promotion of the Way made by Gelmirez through his trips and networking in the great centres of power of the medieval West. With such an ambitious project, a Compostela aware of its history cannot only be the goal, but also has to walk following the travelling deeds of Gelmirez that earned Santiago its place in Europe.

Image:
Apostle Saint James [Porta de Praterías, Catedral de Santiago de Compostela]
Master of Tradition
Courtesy of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Photo: Simón Vázquez.
2009 © S.A. de Xestión do Plan Xacobeo