2005 © Oficina Virtual de Turismo
San Xerome College
The “Colexio de San Xerome” was formerly the so-called “Estudio Vello” (Old Study), established by Archbishop Fonseca III for poor students, near the Convent of San Martiño. When the monks of San Martiño Pinario bought it in order to extend the convent, this new building was built in Praza do Obradoiro. The Romanesque-Gothic front of the old school was erected at the entrance. The tympanum is dominated by the Blessed Virgin. Above the front there is the coat of arms of the founder, Archbishop Fonseca. Inside the building, which presently houses the University Vice-Chancellor’s Office, there is a classicist courtyard that has now been glazed.
 Fonseca College
This school was commissioned by Archbishop Alonso de Fonseca, converting the house where he was born and which belonged to his influential family for educational purposes. It began to function in 1544 and was later used to house the University of Compostela, created with the patronage of his family at the beginning of the century. Its Renaissance façade consists of two sections with Gothic statues in the intercolumniations and in the frieze niches. In the centre of the façade, in the middle of the frieze separating the building’s two sections, the Fonseca coat of arms with five stars stands out, surrounded by images representing the Doctors of the Church. Inside we can visit the courtyard bordered by an epigraphic legend, made by Gil de Hontañón. To the right of the door there is the entrance of the Gothic chapel and to the left, the entrance of the Coffered Hall. It presently houses the General University Library.
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