Cathedral renos?

[Cicada]

We walked the Portugues last year-that's 2018 and we were planning to walk the frances again in 2020 when we'll both be 70! Today my wife asked me what i thought about a camino this year? Well I'm up for it and we can always do another one next year!
So my question is. Is there any truth in the rumor we heard on the Portugues that the cathedral in santiago was to close for renovations sometime this year or next to be all spick and span for the 2021 Holy year?
Many thanks Roger
A very Happy New Year to everyone

 

[t2andreo]

The latter comment is correct. the Cathedral had scaffolding all over the exterior for most of the past four years. It was removed this past summer.

There is some residual scaffolding around the rear, on Plaza Quintana. But, the authorities are racing to get everything done, inside and out, before the Holy Year in 2021.

The Botafumeiro was out of commission for several months last spring for renovation. But, it was back online for the Apostle Saint's feast in late July.

Most of what remains to do, IIRC is inside the Cathedral. The wonderful Portico of Glory was reopened last July, in time for the Apostle Saint's feast day on 25 July.

Someone who is there now, or who has been in the Cathedral recently can update this status.

Hope this helps.

 

[DenWhite]

This photo of the Cathedral was taken week of July 10 2018

 

[Former member 69452]

When I was there at the end of Sept, the Portico de la Gloria was behind a fence and the only view of it was from the rear. Not sure if they've since re-opened. Here's a pic of the area and to the right, you can see the fence. Hope this helps you.

 

[David Tallan]

They just announced that the Portico of Glory is re-opening tomorrow (January 2, 2019). You need to buy reserved tickets for your visit, though: https://tickets.catedraldesantiago.es/es-ES/informacion-recinto/2/portico-gloria

 

[Cicada]

This photo of the Cathedral was taken week of July 10 2018

Great photo Dennis!

 

[Cicada]

The latter comment is correct. the Cathedral had scaffolding all over the exterior for most of the past four years. It was removed this past summer.

There is some residual scaffolding around the rear, on Plaza Quintana. But, the authorities are racing to get everything done, inside and out, before the Holy Year in 2021.

The Botafumeiro was out of commission for several months last spring for renovation. But, it was back online for the Apostle Saint's feast in late July.

Most of what remains to do, IIRC is inside the Cathedral. The wonderful Portico of Glory was reopened last July, in time for the Apostle Saint's feast day on 25 July.

Someone who is there now, or who has been in the Cathedral recently can update this status.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for that !
The "rumor" we heard was that the cathedral would be totally closed for a while but thinking about it that is never going to happen!

 

[DenWhite]

Great photo Dennis![/ We are planning the Francis from SJDP to SdC mid 2021. Our 2018 Camino was from Leon, bit of a test run. Did not know about 2021 being a holy year. Should meet more people?

 

[Cicada]

Well mate you definitely won't be short of company.

 

[t2andreo]

When the Portico de la Gloria was reopened this past July, it was sectioned off from the main Cathedral, so admission could be managed from the front (West Portico) of the Cathedral. This was independent of the main entrance on the South Transept (Plaza Praterias).

This was done for two reasons:

1. The interest in seeing the newly restored medieval masterpiece (Portico de la Gloria) is as great as seeing the Cathedral generally. Waiting times during the hottest July & August days stretched to three hours. The queue backed up to the Galician government building on the opposite side of Plaza Obradoiro.
2. The rules regarding touching, photographs, etc. are MUCH more strict than for the main Cathedral. BAsically NOTHING is allowed in or near the restored portico. NO umbrellas, backpacks, cameras, bottled water, or touching, etc. They are very serious about protecting this cultural icon.

Thus, it was necessary to find a way to manage both streams of visitors separately.

I do not know the present status.

Hope this helps.