Church of Santa María la Mayor in Iria Flavia – Former Collegiate Church

Church of Santa María la Mayor in Iria Flavia – Former Collegiate Church

Regarded as the world’s first Marian church, it served as a bishop’s seat as early as the 6th century, making it one of the oldest churches in Galicia.

Iria Flavia has been a bishopric since the Visigothic period. The present church was built on the site of the first two cathedrals, one pre-Romanesque and the other Visigothic. Following Almanzor’s raid, the latter was destroyed. The church served as the episcopal see when Bishop Teodomiro announced to the world the discovery of the Apostle. Centuries later, the bishopric was moved to the city of Compostela, with Santa María remaining a collegiate church. Following successive renovations and reconstructions, the church now displays a classical style.