• For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)

Search 69,459 Camino Questions

The fueling of the Botafumeiro
pilgrim b

The fueling of the Botafumeiro

I have been to Santiago 3 times, twice on caminos. I have been in the cathedral but never to the service. Unfortunately I am unable to stand in queues for long times because a hip problem. Maybe next year.
 
At what time of day does the botofumerio happen and is it every day
We must see this any advice on best time to start to queue and best day to see it
Thank you
 
@Jennyallan We didn't queue just went to the pilgrim service took a seat and had no idea if it would swing or not. (I understand that this year the Cathedral decided always to do it on a Friday's Pilgrim service). We were very fortunate staying three extra days in Santiago we saw it on the Friday then Sunday was Penticost Sunday, and so it swung again. We were very fortunate !:)
 
It is swung during the noon Pilgrim Mass. I have been fortunate to see it once in my first Camino and three times on my second! It is always spectacular to look up to the smoke/incense pouring down on me. The fragrance of grace.
 
I was told that the Friday Pilgrim service Fridag evening with the Botufumeiro is paid by the local trade of Santiago town.
It cost is several hundred Euros to make it swing and some pilgrims are shocked and horrified of this cost.
The locals told me that the guild handling the incensor has to be paid as well as the incense which is expensive.
I choose to consider it a privilege that somebopdy else is paying for my glee of watching that big silvery objekt performing this perilous journey upwards... mind you the rope has been known to snap, every hundred years or so....
 
Hola @LindaT I am exactly the opposite: three times 2013, 2015, 2017 to see this dynamic feature of the Cathedral. On at least one of these occasions a group had paid the E500 fee (2015); in 2013 it just a lucky day and in 2017 during the Pilgrims Mass a visiting German Choir sang in both German and Spanish so the Dean had the botofumerio swung as a thank you. From my point of view they were a very good choir. Cheers
 

Media information

Category
Camino Ingles
Added by
pilgrim b
Date added
View count
6,122
Comment count
6
Rating
0.00 star(s) 0 ratings

Image metadata

Filename
Compostela.jpg
File size
238.9 KB
Dimensions
1259px x 692px

Share this media

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.
This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top