The Hostal dos Reis Católicos in Santiago de Compostela

The Hostal dos Reis Católicos, a Parador in the Praza do Obradoiro, Santiago de Compostela, has a long history. In 1499, Spain's Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I, funded the construction of a hospital and hostelry near the end of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James). Over a decade, under the oversight of architect Enrique Egas, masons, engineers, and sculptors from all over Europe were called upon to work on the project.

Initially serving as a hospital and hospice for pilgrims, the building attracted many doctors and scholars. Over time, one of the oldest medical schools in Spain sprang up nearby. After operating as a hospital for four centuries, the Hostal transitioned into a luxury hotel in 1954, undergoing renovations under the decision of Francisco Franco.

Nowadays, with its 137 rooms, it is the finest and largest by capacity parador of the network. Continuing its hospitable tradition, it provides free services to a limited number of pilgrims every day.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons