11/03/2025
Convento de Santo Domingo de Bonaval, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Tucked just outside the ancient walls of Santiago de Compostela, the Convento de Santo Domingo de Bonaval was founded in the early 13th century, traditionally linked to Santo Domingo de Guzmán himself. Over the centuries, the convent evolved from a medieval Dominican monastery to a Baroque masterpiece, especially after renovations by architect Domingo de Andrade in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, it houses the Museo do Pobo Galego, preserving Galicia’s cultural heritage while maintaining the serenity of its original monastic setting.
One of the convent’s most striking architectural elements is its triple helical staircase, designed by Andrade. Three independent stone ramps rise within a single volume, allowing separate circulation paths that intertwine without ever meeting — a rare feat of structural ingenuity and Baroque artistry. Each step, carved from a single block, appears to float, catching the play of light that filters down the central shaft. The result is a stunning expression of movement, form, and function, a staircase that transcends utility to become the spiritual and visual heart of the building.
