The former convent of Santo Domingo de Bonaval, located on a hill outside the walls of the historic city, next to the road by which pilgrims reached Compostela, now houses the Museo do Pobo Galego, which through a wide and varied set of pieces offers an overview of the most representative manifestations of Galicia’s own culture. Its permanent rooms show various aspects of the world of the sea, traditional trades, the countryside, clothing and popular architecture. It also has sections on Galician archeology, painting and sculpture. Temporary exhibitions of different themes are regularly organized.

The Museum of the Galician People was established under the auspices of a Board of Trustees made up of entities and individuals working in different areas of Galician culture and representatives of public and academic institutions. It was inaugurated in October 1977, in a building donated by the City Council of Santiago de Compostela.

The Bonaval convent, founded in the 13th century by Santo Domingo de Guzmán, was rebuilt in baroque style in the 17th and 18th centuries. The most notable part was designed by the architect Domingo de Andrade. Inside you can admire an original triple helical staircase.