Portico della Glory Restored After Decade-Long Conservation in Santiago

After ten years of delicate restoration, the Portico della Gloria in Santiago de Compostela Cathedral has regained its splendor, revealing original polychromy. The project, costing €6.2 million, was funded by Fundación Barrié and supervised by the Instituto Patrimonio Cultural de España and Fundación Catedral. The team, led by Ana Laborde, included archaeologists, art historians, chemists, architects, and geologists. The restoration removed dust, salts, and harmful deposits while preserving the original layers. Three distinct polychrome layers were uncovered: a medieval layer with lapis lazuli blue, 16th-17th century additions imitating brocade, and 18th-century Renaissance-inspired retouching. The portico, a masterpiece of late Romanesque sculpture, was commissioned in 1168 by King Ferdinand II of León to Master Mateo, who completed it in 20 years. Starting late July 2018, public access is limited to 25 visitors at a time for 15 minutes, free but without reservation. Further access changes are expected in autumn when the portico will be enclosed again due to ongoing interior restorations. The cathedral anticipates the Holy Year of 2021.