The Botafumeiro of Santiago de Compostela

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

Botafumeiro

The swinging Botafumeiro dispensing clouds of incenseA dome above the crossing contains the pulley mechanism to swing the "Botafumeiro", which is a famous thurible found in this church. This thurible was created by the goldsmith José Losada in 1851. The Santiago de Compostela Botafumeiro is the largest censer in the world, weighing 80 kg and measuring 1.60 m in height. It is normally on exhibition in the library of the cathedral, but during certain important religious high days it is attached to the pulley mechanism, filled with 40 kg of charcoal and incense. In the Jubilee Years, whenever St James's Day falls on a Sunday, the Botafumeiro is also attached in all the Pilgrims' Masses. Eight red-robed tiraboleiros pull the ropes and bring it into a swinging motion almost to the roof of the transept, reaching speeds of 60 km/h and dispensing thick clouds of incense. One irreverent explanation of this custom, which originated more than 700 years ago--although incense has been used in Catholic ritual from the earliest times--is that it assisted in masking the stench emanating from hundreds of unwashed pilgrims.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Santiago
• St. James
• Spain
• Compostela
• Riccardi

[lamoyoucooke]

@wheelnutter - what's the problem with showing devotion? This is quite an incredibie thing to witness, and I would NEVER dream to denegrate any religous rite or ceremony of anyone else of any other faith or belief

[wheelnutter]

What is the purpose of this? Someone has got their priorities all wrong.

[wseabuck]

I was there in 1999 for the Holy Year pilgrimage after my own pilgrimage and saw this...brings back special memories...thank you.

[P9046]

@ushineon4me  Jews, Muslims?

[Swirlthewine]

Okay. I like how when you enter the cathedral there are signs that say no photos, film photography but everyone seems to ignore them.

[LordBuntaro]

Creo que puede ser el que sale en " 1492: la conquista del paraiso "

[viewering1234]

I'll order 3 please! Totally awesome!

[Davidporterse1]

We just saw this in Santiago, it was amazing, thanks for the video, you have captured it perfectly, good job!

[timmylee1974]

holyyyyyyyyyyy smoke holyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy smokeeeeee...

[ushineon4me]

I love the thurible!!! ah! who wouldn't want to be Catholic?!?!!!