Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Peru
Uruguay
Germany
Belgium
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Switzerland
Palace · Astorga, Castela e Leão
Palacio Episcopal de Astorga
Neogothic Palace designed by Gaudí, built between 1889 and 1915, of white granite with towers, which houses the Museu dos Caminhos, about the Caminho de Santiago.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Palacio Episcopal de Astorga
The Palácio Episcopal de Astorga is one of Antoni Gaudí's three works outside Catalonia. The old bishops' palace, in ruins, burned down in 1886, and the then-bishop, Juan Bautista Grau, Catalan and friend of Gaudí, commissioned him to design the new building. Work began in 1889, but after the bishop's death in 1893 Gaudí left the project due to disagreements, and the palace was only finished in 1915 by other architects.
The building belongs to Gaudí's neogothic phase: it looks like a castle, with round towers, a moat, pointed arches and white granite walls. Inside, the rooms have ribbed vaults, columns with capitals designed by him, stained glass and tiles. The chapel on the main floor is one of the most beautiful spaces, with coloured light coming through the stained glass.
The palace never came to be used as the bishops' residence. Since 1962 it has housed the Museu dos Caminhos, with items about the Caminho de Santiago and religious art of the diocese: images, goldsmith's work and paintings, as well as Roman finds in the subsoil.
Outside, the zinc angels in the gardens and the white façade sit beside the cathedral, forming with it the most photographed ensemble of Astorga.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 1.5 hours.
Best time
In the morning, combined with the cathedral next door. Check opening days and hours before you go.
How to get there
It is located in praça Eduardo de Castro, next to the cathedral, in the old town, about a 10-minute walk from the train station and the bus station.
Tip
Climb up to the chapel on the main floor: with the sun streaming through the stained glass, it is the most beautiful part of the palace.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Palacio Episcopal de Astorga
Who designed the Palácio Episcopal de Astorga?
Antoni Gaudí. Work began in 1889 and ended in 1915, already under other architects.
Did the bishops live in Gaudí's palace?
No. The palace was never used as the bishops' residence. Since 1962 it has housed the Museu dos Caminhos.
What does the Museu dos Caminhos have?
Items about the Caminho de Santiago and the diocese's religious art, such as statues, goldsmithing/metalwork and paintings, as well as Roman finds.