The “botafumeiro” (which means "censer" in Galician) is a large liturgical vessel that hangs from the dome of the Cathedral of Santiago and that spreads incense throughout the temple moving from one side to another thanks to a system of pulleys. The botafumeiro is operated by eight “tiraboleiros”, in charge of pushing it first and pulling the rope afterwards, in order to make the container full of incense and coal pick up speed. The tiraboleiros can move the botafumeiro so that it reaches up to 68 km / h, going up to a height of 21 meters, drawing an arch of 65 meters. This great liturgical object weighs more than 60 kg and measures 1.60 m in height; the botafumeiro has a silver bath and is tied to the transept of the cathedral by a large rope 62 meters long and 5 cm in diameter (the current rope is made of a synthetic material). When swinging from one side of the cathedral to the other at high speed, the botafumeiro can reach a great force, which sometimes has meant detachments of the rope, leaving the object fired. There is evidence of three detachments of this object until today; in 1499, 1622 and 1937. The function of the botafumeiro is to spread incense through the temple and in this way to perfume it to eliminate unpleasant odors. This tradition began in the eleventh century, with the rise of the Camino de Santiago, which attracted a large number of pilgrims to the cathedral just after finishing their trip, without having been able to wash or rest. In ancient times the churches and cathedrals of the “Camiño” sheltered the pilgrims at night, so the bad smells were concentrated in the temples, so it was necessary to use incense to scare away the stench. The size of the botafumeiro of the Cathedral of Santiago obeys to the dimensions of the temple and the fact of being the end of the "Camiño", which concentrated many pilgrims who concluded their pilgrimage to Santiago.
O botafumeiro é o incensario de gran tamaño que se atopa na catedral de Santiago de Compostela. Por extensión, en Galiza é frecuente chamarlle botafumeiro a calquera incensario. O botafumeiro é o incensario maior do mundo, feito de latón bañado en prata, que pesa 62 kg baleiro e mide 1,50 m de altura e 59 cm de diámetro na parte máis ancha. Orixinalmente pesaba 60 kg, pero en 2006 engadíuselle un baño de prata que fixo aumentar a súa masa ata os 62 kg actuais. A corda que o suspende, atada do ciborio da catedral, é, desde o 2007, dun material sintético, mide 65 metros, ten 5 cm de diámetro e pesa 90 kg. Anteriormente as cordas facíanse de cánabo ou de esparto.
WOW... That is abolutely beautiful. I for some reason have a thing for the incense at Holy Mass and to see this Botafumeiro is awesome. Thank you!
The “botafumeiro” (which means "censer" in Galician) is a large liturgical vessel that hangs from the dome of the Cathedral of Santiago and that spreads incense throughout the temple moving from one side to another thanks to a system of pulleys. The botafumeiro is operated by eight “tiraboleiros”, in charge of pushing it first and pulling the rope afterwards, in order to make the container full of incense and coal pick up speed. The tiraboleiros can move the botafumeiro so that it reaches up to 68 km / h, going up to a height of 21 meters, drawing an arch of 65 meters.
This great liturgical object weighs more than 60 kg and measures 1.60 m in height; the botafumeiro has a silver bath and is tied to the transept of the cathedral by a large rope 62 meters long and 5 cm in diameter (the current rope is made of a synthetic material). When swinging from one side of the cathedral to the other at high speed, the botafumeiro can reach a great force, which sometimes has meant detachments of the rope, leaving the object fired. There is evidence of three detachments of this object until today; in 1499, 1622 and 1937.
The function of the botafumeiro is to spread incense through the temple and in this way to perfume it to eliminate unpleasant odors. This tradition began in the eleventh century, with the rise of the Camino de Santiago, which attracted a large number of pilgrims to the cathedral just after finishing their trip, without having been able to wash or rest.
In ancient times the churches and cathedrals of the “Camiño” sheltered the pilgrims at night, so the bad smells were concentrated in the temples, so it was necessary to use incense to scare away the stench. The size of the botafumeiro of the Cathedral of Santiago obeys to the dimensions of the temple and the fact of being the end of the "Camiño", which concentrated many pilgrims who concluded their pilgrimage to Santiago.
The altar looks beautiful. Good for Tridentine Mass.
Inspiring, thank you
Awesome!!!
O botafumeiro é o incensario de gran tamaño que se atopa na catedral de Santiago de Compostela. Por extensión, en Galiza é frecuente chamarlle botafumeiro a calquera incensario.
O botafumeiro é o incensario maior do mundo, feito de latón bañado en prata, que pesa 62 kg baleiro e mide 1,50 m de altura e 59 cm de diámetro na parte máis ancha. Orixinalmente pesaba 60 kg, pero en 2006 engadíuselle un baño de prata que fixo aumentar a súa masa ata os 62 kg actuais.
A corda que o suspende, atada do ciborio da catedral, é, desde o 2007, dun material sintético, mide 65 metros, ten 5 cm de diámetro e pesa 90 kg. Anteriormente as cordas facíanse de cánabo ou de esparto.
Spirituality, reverent liturgy and fun can sometimes go together.
Absolutely awesome. Does anyone know the name of the hymn being sung? It's incredibly beautiful. Brings tears to my eyes.
The song is the "Hymn of St. James" by M. Soler.
I came in like a wrecking ball...
La oracion de santiago de church
Me gustaria en espanol gracias. Muy hermosa la ceremonia e iglesia un dia ire dios me dara
@1917fatima
You are welcome! :-)
They started doing this because the Spaniards who went to this church stunk like crazy.
Catholics....