Portico de la Gloria (Portico of Glory), Santiago de Compostela

The Portico of Glory is a renowned Romanesque portico and the main entrance of the cathedral. It was created by Master Mateo and his workshop on the commission of King Ferdinand II of León. The construction of the portico began in 1168 and was completed in 1188, as commemorated by inscriptions on a stone within the cathedral and on the lintel supporting the elaborate tympanum.

Under the terms of the contract in 1168, if Mateo were to abandon the project at any point, he would have had to pay 1,000 gold pieces. The entire three-part portico was not finished until 1211, when the cathedral was consecrated in the presence of King Alfonso IX of León.

Originally conceived as a four-part division, the design was later modified to a three-part format, altering the proportions of the portal. With more than 200 Romanesque sculptures, the Portico of Glory is considered the pinnacle of artistic achievement within the cathedral and is often regarded as the greatest work of Spanish Romanesque sculpture. It consists of an inner double-arched porch and is completed by an outer western façade. The lateral archivolts were left undecorated, possibly due to time constraints to complete the gate for the Jubilee of 1182 and the formal procession of pilgrims.

The original Romanesque structure of the portico was later modified and covered with a Baroque façade. Prior to the construction of the façade, pilgrims would have approached the portico from a distance and climbed a large flight of stairs to reach it. The three large arches, without door valves, were adorned with angels and foliage and framed the ciborium and altar at the end of the nave. Prophets and apostles served as the columns and jambs, welcoming pilgrims into the church.