The
Museum of the Collegiate Church of Sar
founded in 1975, is located in the Romanesque church of the same name, a former convent founded by Archbishop Diego Xelmirez.
Therefore, one of the main values of the visit is to get to know this outstanding historical monument of unique architecture, which was declared a National Monument in 1895.
The exhibition space is located in an annex building on the south side of the church and offers a journey through the history of the Augustinian community, from its foundation as a priory to its transformation into a collegiate church and parish of the archdiocese of Santiago.
The visit starts at the reception, where a stone pillar with paired columns, the work of the workshop of Mestre Mateo, is on display. The second room presents, among others, pieces related to the Sar priory and monastic life, such as architectural elements of the old 13th century cloister, or pieces of baroque sculpture such as the Saint Roch of Montpellier.
In addition, the collection has objects of important historical and documentary value, such as the original of the founding parchment of the temple sealed by Archbishop Diego Xelmirez himself in 1136.
The third room is dedicated to the parish life of the Collegiate Church and covers the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries, with a series of goldsmith pieces, liturgical ornaments and sculptures.
In the fourth and fifth rooms there is a display of traditional Galician costumes owned by the Colexiata do Sar folkloric group, an organization linked to this monument.
The tour is completed with a visit to the cloister, where nine arcades of the old 13th century cloister are preserved.
General admission is at a cost of 2 euros, although access is free for children under 12 years of age. There is also the opportunity to take the tour with an interactive audio guide at a cost of 4 euros.
It can also be visited freely upon presentation of a ticket for the Cathedral Museum or for the Portico de la Gloria.