Museo do Pobo Galego

Awesome place that really tells the story of the Galician people (well, most — apparently, «struggling with poverty» and «dirt existence» were primary criteria for being discussed here).
Why not 5 stars?
Okay, for whom is the museum?
If you want people outside of Galicia to learn about you, how about having things in something IN ADDITION to Gallego? I mean, I get that you are proud of your language, Franco was a bad ass, etc. — but if I (who am fluent in English and Spanish) am struggling to understand and read the captions, how do I come away blown away with how AWESOME a people Galicians are?
Lend a 25% Galician brother a hand!

Not really much to see in here… a spirally staircase with some boring displays. The only part that was worth it was the old church. That was kinda cool.

Bonito museo, museo que TODA persona de Santiago debió haber visitado ya.
Tiene una escalera de cacaracol preciosa.
Recomendada su visita.

Es un museo dedicado a la etnografía de Galicia, cuya visita remata con la soberbia visita al Panteón de Gallegos Ilustres. En él se reúnen las principales formas de economía de la Galicia de siempre (pesca y agricultura), presentando los distintos tipos de embarcaciones de bajura, redes, todos los trebejos de pesca; arados, aperos de labranza, etc.

Antiguo monasterio de Bonaval, convertido en Museo, acoge un museo etnográfico sobre la cultura y tradicion gallega. Impresionate la escalera de caracol y el parque situado al exterior del museo con obras escultóricas de Eduardo Chillida

Bonito museo. La escalera de caracol triple es una pasada.

Great place to anchor oneself in Galician culture — no pun intended, although there are things in exhibits related to this seafaring people. The exhibits are permanent and rotating. That is part of the appeal, once again, of the ability of Galicia to seem eternally the same yet constantly surprising you with new old facts or simply new tidbits.
The web site is really excellent, and gives an idea of how the exhibits are intended to reflect the local history and culture. The sea, the farm, music, regional dress, crafts, habitat, and much more. And as always, in Galicia, here’s the granite, the stones ancient and just really old, written on, sculpted, placed nonchalantly to make you think they required human hands to get there. Even the building that houses the collections is really worthwhile — it was an old convent, probably 13^th century, but what you see is from around 1700.
Besides the anthropological exhibits, there are modern art displays at times and exhibits of places like Cabo Verde. Look closely — there is a common thread to all. The museum has recently acquired several personal libraries of local intellectuals, which makes it a cozy and very good resource for researchers in Galician themes. It appears some online access is being created mow.
The Museo do Pobo also has a long standing publication activity.
It might be more fruitful to go the first time with a friend who can lead you around, make sure you see the winding staircase with several layers of spirals (or so it seems), point out the incredible skill of the basket or clog makers represented in the permanent displays, and just wax sentimental over the culture. After that, you can return by yourself to study the parts that interest you the most. For me, it depends on my mood and how much time I have. Some days it’s sea, some days it’s land and how agriculture was carried out here. Other days it’s entertaining to spend time talking to the people who work in the museum. They too have a lot to offer and are usually generous with the information.