Planning of Medieval Groups on the Way of St James: Transfer and Restoration of Portomarín (Lugo)

Midway through the 20th century Spain began the “Plan de Restauración de Lugares Jacobeos” (Restoration Plan for places on the pilgrim’s road to Santiago de Compostela) as support for the revitalization of the Way of St James, directed by the architect Francisco Pons-Sorolla. The principal measures to be taken were the restoration of monuments and the town planning of the historical collection as a whole. Portomarín (Lugo) –a stage of the French Way- was involved in a singular episode: its transfer to a new location with important modifications of the medieval organizational structure and of the principal architectural references. The most emblematic building of this group is the Romanesque Church of San Juan, which underwent a process of historicist restoration aimed at recuperating its medieval spirit.