There are the 200 granite sculptures of the Portico de la Gloria, for example, and the different depictions of Saint James, as apostle, moorslayer, and humble pilgrim, which you can find throughout the cathedral. The foot-sore pilgrims of the past celebrated their arrival at the cathedral by touching the central pillar of the Gloria Portico in which St. James is portrayed welcoming the tired pilgrim. People still do this, and the innumerable hands through the centuries have left deep finger marks in the hard marble of the pillar. Next is a ritual hug of the statue of James standing on the High Altar. A staircase leads to the statue, with a line of tourists and pilgrims waiting for their turn to embrace the gilded bust that looks more like an emperor than a humble fisherman's son.
Religious influences are everywhere, but they are of a gentle, human nature.
It is quite likely to rain while you are in Compostela. Rain or sun, the town is alive, with a population of 32,000 students who enjoy life in Compostela so much that some are said to prolong their studies until retirement age.