History

The rise of Santiago de Compostela as a city is directly linked to the discovery of the Apostle’s tomb in the ninth century (between 820-830), during the reign of Alfonso II.

Three centres of population or villages are recorded from the ninth century: Campo (the present-day Cervantes Square), the old centre of Lovio, and Vilar, in whose street the RUA VILLAR Hotel is situated. We know that at the end of the ninth century Rúa Vilar (Vilar Street) was the location of the first jewellers’ workshops, whose clients included pilgrims from the nobility and wealthy traders, who were arriving in Santiago on pilgrimages in ever-growing numbers.

Over the centuries, the Rúa del Villar consolidated its position as an area with mansions owned by the wealthy classes, and buildings belonging to the Cathedral Chapter.