Chester College is situated on the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela, the capital of the Spanish region of Galicia. The College, with its spacious and verdant grounds, stands on a hill overlooking the wide Ulla Valley.
  
Galicia
Galicia lies in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Celtic and Roman civilizations were the first to leave their marks on this region. Blessed with green and scenic landscape of rolling hills, broad valleys and sheltered sandy beaches which contrast with the spectacular northern coastal cliffs, Galicia is a most beautiful and tranquil region. The climate is mild all year, and the average summer temperature is a pleasant 25º.
  
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago has been an important pilgrimage destination since the IX Century, when the tomb containing the remains of the Apostle James was discovered nearby. In the XI Century, devotion spread abroad and the Spanish, French, English, German and Scandinavian faithful began to make the long religious journey travelling through France and Spain, along what is now known as the “Camino de Santiago” (“The Way of St. James”). Many people still continue to undergo this journey nowadays.
In Holy Years, when the feast day of St. James (25 July) falls on a Sunday, jubilee indulgences are granted at the Cathedral and thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine. St James is the patron saint of Spain.
  
Santiago de Compostela, with a population of 100,000 is one of Spain’s most remarkable cities, at once ancient, modern, solemn and lively. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in 2002 it was one of Europe’s cultural capitals.
Santiago contains an impressive historic centre, the magnificent Cathedral and myriad churches and convent buildings.
  
The University of Santiago, with 30,000 students, celebrated its fifth centenary in 1995.
  
The “Xunta de Galicia” and the local Council “Concello de Santiago” provide an extensive cultural program as well as sporting and social opportunities.