King Ferdinand II donated one hundred maraveds per year from 1168 to 1188 to build the Portico de la Gloria for the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, and the date 1188 is inscribed in stone within the cathedral as the date of its completion. Although work on the portico began on April 1, 1188, the church wasn't consecrated in the presence of King Alfonso IX until 1211.

The portico has massive pillars with linked columns that hold up three semicircular arches that correspond to the three naves of the cathedral. The center arch is the largest (twice as large as each of the side arches), has a tympanum, and is separated from the other arches by a mullion that features a statue of Saint James. The lower band is made up of the column bases, which are adorned with fascinating creatures; the middle band is made up of the columns that hold up the attached statues of the Apostles; and the upper band is made up of the arches that crown the three doorways. Iconic symbols from the Revelation of St. John and other Old Testament books are meant to be represented in this sculpture grouping.