The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela confirms that the Botafumeiro is temporarily out of service due to restoration work. At the moment no date has been announced for its return, so pilgrims arriving in Santiago during these days should not count on seeing it work.
The Botafumeiro is one of the most anticipated images for thousands of pilgrims when they arrive in Santiago de Compostela.
Many enter the Cathedral hoping to see how the enormous incense burner crosses the transept at high speed, propelled by the tiraboleiros.
But during these days it will not be possible.
The Cathedral of Santiago itself maintains an official notice published in its liturgical information indicating that the Botafumeiro is temporarily not working due to restoration works. Santiago Cathedral
An important notice for those who arrive now in Santiago
The information is especially relevant for pilgrims who are finishing the Camino these days.
The operation of the Botafumeiro is never guaranteed in all Pilgrim Masses, since its use is mainly linked to certain liturgical solemnities and can also be requested on the occasion of specific pilgrimages.
Now, however, the situation is different.
The Cathedral directly confirms that the large censer is temporarily out of service.
This means that even those who arrive on dates when it could traditionally operate should check the situation before organizing their visit.
No date announced for his return
At the moment, the Cathedral does not indicate when it will be used again.
The notice is limited to indicating that the Botafumeiro remains temporarily out of operation due to restoration works.
Therefore, there is currently no official date to ensure when it will fly over the naves of the Cathedral again.
For pilgrims, the most prudent recommendation is not to plan your arrival in Santiago counting on seeing it work until the Cathedral announces its reactivation.
One of the great symbols of Santiago
The Botafumeiro is not only one of the most recognizable symbols of the Camino de Santiago.
It is also an exceptional piece due to its dimensions.
The specimen usually used weighs 53 kilos, measures around 1.50 meters and remains suspended for about 20 meters high.
Eight tiraboleiros are necessary to make it swing and, during its journey along the transept of the Cathedral, it can reach approximately 68 kilometers per hour. Santiago Cathedral
His movement has become one of the most photographed and recorded moments of the arrival in Compostela.
But its original function is liturgical.
The smoke of the incense symbolizes the prayers of the faithful rising towards God.
A story that dates back to the Codex Calixtinus
The presence of large incense burners in the Compostela Cathedral has centuries of history.
The first known documentary reference appears in an annotation related to the Codex Calixtinus, where a “Turibulum Magnum” is mentioned.
Throughout the centuries there were different examples.
The Botafumeiro commonly used today is made of brass and dates back to 1851, work of José Losada. The Cathedral also preserves another example, a silver replica delivered in 1971. Santiago Cathedral
Works at a particularly sensitive time
The suspension also coincides with another important change that will affect pilgrims in the coming days.
From October 16, the main Pilgrim Masses will temporarily leave the main altar of the Cathedral due to the planned works in the main chapel.
The celebrations of the 9:30, 12:00 and 19:30 They will pass to the nearby church of San Agustín.
The mass of 7:30 a.m. It will remain inside the Cathedral, although moved to the Communion chapel. Visits to the temple will continue to take place as normal. Santiago Cathedral
This change had already been announced previously and does not imply a new suspension of visits to the Cathedral.
The Cathedral will remain open
It is important to clarify this point.
That the Botafumeiro is temporarily out of service It does not mean that the Cathedral is closed.
Pilgrims can continue entering the temple and visiting as normal.
Starting October 16, there will be changes in the location of several Pilgrim Masses, but the activity of the Cathedral continues.
Those who arrive in Compostela will be able to continue visiting the Apostle's tomb, touring the temple and experiencing their arrival at the Obradoiro.
The difference is that, for the moment, they will not be able to watch one of their best-known ceremonies.
A detail that can avoid disappointment
Many pilgrims organize their last day trying to coincide with a Pilgrim's Mass and with the operation of the Botafumeiro.
That is why this notice is especially useful.
Arriving after walking hundreds of kilometers and discovering right there that the Botafumeiro does not work can cause disappointment if no one knew beforehand.
The best option at this time is to always check the updated information before going to the Cathedral.
The Botafumeiro will fly again
The suspension is temporary.
The intervention is part of the conservation work on one of the most emblematic elements of the Cathedral.
When it works again, eight tiraboleiros will start moving again under the central dome and the enormous incense burner will once again cross the transept.
Until then, for those who are arriving in Santiago during these days, it is worth keeping this clear:
The Botafumeiro remains temporarily out of service and there is still no official date announced for its return.
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