Consecration crosses

On April 21, 1211, the Romanesque work that had started in 1075 was completed, and a ceremony was held to consecrate Santiago Cathedral. The ceremony followed the Roman Ordo liturgy first established in the 11th century, which included the "chrismation" of the interior walls. This involved using holy oil to anoint 12 crosses painted or engraved in other places of worship, incensing them, and lighting candles before them.

These consecration crosses can still be seen around the cathedral today. Seven are still in their original locations, although some have been subject to slight modifications, and the rest were moved sometime between the 14th and 16th centuries.

These elements are carved in relief on several assembled pieces of granite. The crosses have equal-length arms and are in a style particular to the Romanesque and Gothic periods, with some modifications. From the transverse arm hang the letters "alpha" and "omega," while the upper part features the sun and moon. There is a circular ring around it, which bears an inscription. These crosses feature 8 different texts, 3 of which refer to the consecration date while the rest allude to symbolic aspects of the consecration ceremony. Finally, the outer corners are decorated with plant motifs, which are different on each cross.