Lugo Cathedral

Lugo Cathedral tickets: which one to buy

Lugo Cathedral stands in the centre of Lugo, Galicia, Spain, inside the Roman walls, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only Roman city walls in the world to survive complete, and entry to the cathedral is free, while a ticket covers the museum, the cloister and the roof tour, which gives views over the city and the walls. The cathedral is on the Primitive Way of the Camino de Santiago, and pilgrims stop here.

Walking tours of Lugo combine the cathedral with a walk along the top of the Roman walls, which takes about forty minutes, the Plaza Mayor, the Roman baths and the tapas bars of the old town, famous for free tapas with drinks. Lugo is about an hour and a half from Santiago de Compostela by bus or train. The cathedral is active, and visiting pauses during services. Pilgrims on the Primitive Way can get a stamp in their credential at the cathedral.

Visiting Lugo Cathedral: what to see

The cathedral was begun in 1129 in the Romanesque style, and it was completed and altered over the following centuries, so it combines Romanesque, Gothic, baroque and neoclassical elements. The main facade, with two towers, is neoclassical, built in the eighteenth century. Inside, the nave keeps its Romanesque structure, and the chapels are richly decorated. The cathedral has a special privilege: the Blessed Sacrament has been permanently exposed on the altar for centuries, day and night, which is why the city's coat of arms shows a chalice and host. The baroque chapel of the Virgin of the Big Eyes, Nuestra Señora de los Ojos Grandes, designed by Fernando de Casas y Novoa, the architect of the Obradoiro facade of Santiago, holds a venerated statue of the Virgin.

The cathedral's choir stalls are carved in wood, and the cloister and museum display religious art. The roof tour takes visitors along the cathedral's roofs and towers, with views over the old town and the Roman walls. The cloister, from the eighteenth century, is elegant and quiet. The museum displays silverwork, vestments and the cathedral's treasures, including a Romanesque statue of the Virgin. The north door has a carved Romanesque relief of Christ in majesty. The Plaza de Santa María in front of the cathedral is surrounded by the bishop's palace and other historic buildings. The chapels hold baroque altarpieces and tombs of bishops. The Blessed Sacrament's permanent exposition is honoured by a symbol on the city's flag.

Lugo Cathedral opening hours and the best time to go

The cathedral is open daily, with the museum and roof tours keeping shorter hours. Lugo is busy during the Arde Lucus festival in June, when the city recreates its Roman and Celtic past with costumes, markets and gladiator shows, and during the San Froilán festival in October, famous for boiled octopus. Galicia's weather is often rainy, especially in winter, and summer is mild. Evenings are lively in the old town's tapas bars. Allow about forty minutes for the cathedral and an hour with the roof tour, and walk along the Roman walls afterwards. The Roman baths, beside the Miño river, are part of a hotel spa and can be visited free of charge.