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Church · Tui, Galicia
Catedral de Santa María de Tui
Romanesque and Gothic cathedral from the 12th and 13th centuries, with a fortress-like appearance atop the town, a Gothic portal, cloister and towers overlooking the river Minho and Portugal.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Catedral de Santa María de Tui
The Catedral de Santa María de Tui crowns the old town and dominates the river Minho. Construction began around 1120 in the Romanesque style, and it was consecrated in 1225, already with the Gothic façade. The walls, battlements and towers give it a fortress appearance, because the cathedral also defended the frontier with Portugal.
The main Gothic portal is considered one of the earliest on the Iberian Peninsula, with figures from the Old Testament and the Adoration of the Magi. Inside, the cathedral features reinforcing arches added after an 18th-century earthquake, side chapels and the choir.
The Gothic cloister is one of the best preserved in Galicia, and visits typically include the chapter house, the tower and the garden, from which you can see the river, the international bridge and the fortress of Valença. Next to it, on the Plaza de San Fernando, is the diocesan museum.
The cathedral has been a Bien de Interés Cultural since 1931 and is a stop on the Caminho Português de Santiago: many pilgrims receive their first stamp there. Check opening times beforehand, as they change with the season and religious celebrations.
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 1h30 for the church, cloister and tower.
Best time
In the morning, when it's quieter. Avoid mass times for a tourist visit.
How to get there
It sits atop the old town, about a 10-minute walk from the train station and about 20 to 30 minutes on foot from Valença via the international bridge.
Tip
Climb the tower and visit the cloister garden: it offers the widest view of the Minho and Valença.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Catedral de Santa María de Tui
Why does the cathedral look like a fortress?
Because besides being a church it defended the border with Portugal. It has walls, battlements and towers.
From what period is the cathedral?
It was begun around 1120 in the Romanesque style and consecrated in 1225, by then with a Gothic façade.
Does the cathedral stamp the pilgrim's credential?
Yes. Many pilgrims on the Caminho Português get their first stamp there.
Can you climb the tower?
Yes, as part of the visit to the complex, which usually includes the cloister and the garden. Check the times beforehand.