The Chapel of St. Nicholas was a Romanesque jewel located on the north side of the transept of the Cathedral of Santiago. Because of its proximity to the Gate of Paradise, where pilgrims who completed the French Way entered, it became the parish of foreigners. However, in the 17th century, it was transformed and its function changed. It became a passageway to access the parish of Nosa Señora a Antiga da Corticela, which is located in the background. It is to the left of this space that we find the Chapel of Saint the Chapel of Santo André.
It was founded in 1674 by Archbishop Andrés Girón, who dedicated it to the parish worship of Saint Andrew, who already had another Romanesque chapel in the south arm of the transept, where the Pilar Chapel is located today.
Initially, from 1674 to 1679, this building served as a guardhouse due to its strategic location and its communication with the door of the cathedral, the most frequented by foreigners. At the same time, it connected with the interior of the basilica and had an exit to the Plaza de la Inmaculada through a simple door.
Later, in 1695, the chapel became a parish. In 1698, the parishioners Benito de Castro and his wife donated an altarpiece signed by Andrés García, dedicated to San José and currently located on the Epistle side.
The main altarpiece, designed by Fernández Espantoso in 1707, also deserves attention. As in the previous case, it shows the influence of Domingo de Andrade in its forms and designs. The third altarpiece, dedicated to the Virgin of Covadonga, was moved to the church of La Peregrina, on the outskirts of Santiago.
To access the Chapel of Santo André from the cathedral, it is necessary to cross a gate of unknown author, but that, by its ironwork similar to those of other nearby buildings, is attributed to the work done by the Lorenzo family in the early eighteenth century.
Inside, on the right, there are two superimposed sepulchers with recumbent statues, sculpted by Juan Bautista Celma. These tombs belong to Canon Pedro García and Cardinal Juan Martínez Ternero.
The Chapel of St. Andrew is an impressive testimony of baroque art and architecture in the Cathedral of Santiago. Its rich history and artistic elements make it an obligatory stop for visitors and pilgrims who travel through this city full of tradition and culture.
