Who built Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela emerged following the discovery of the tomb of the Apostle James in the 9th century. King Alfonso II of Asturias ordered the construction of a small church on the site, marking the beginning of the city as a pilgrimage center.

Over the centuries, the city grew around the church, which became the Cathedral of Santiago, with its construction beginning in the 11th century under Alfonso VI. Various architects and master builders expanded and embellished both the cathedral and the city, establishing it as an important religious center in Europe.