LIVE from the Camino Does anyone know how often the fumaria takes place? I want to make sure I do not miss this special

[Marreena Appleton]

Does anyone know how often the fumerua takes place in Santiago? I want to make sure I attend this special mass

 

[notion900]

Please see this recent thread.

 

[SYates]

The official schedule for the Botafumeiro can be found here: http://www.catedraldesantiago.es/en/node/482 but it also flies when somebody/a group pays for it. The later tends to happen more often in 'main season' and is, obviously, unpredictable.

However, there is a little trick to know if it might be flying the next mass. When you go to the Cathedral museum (reduced entry for pilgrims) check if there is a little fire on a metal stand in the patio/cloister upstairs, if yes, the Botafumeiro will swing at the next mass. The fire is used to lighten it.

Buen Camino, SY

 

[alaskadiver]

We had it this past Sunday at noon pilgrim mass. It was cool but no real big deal. There were so many people present we didn't even bother with going to the crypt or hugging the statue. Worse than Disney land.

 

[FLEUR]

Last year I was amazed that whilst the mass was taking place people were allowed to continue touring the cathedral and hug the statue.

 

[HikingGeo]

Does anyone know how often the fumerua takes place in Santiago? I want to make sure I attend this special mass

We were fortunate enough to get to see it in back to back masses on Saturday, May 13th. We caught it at the end if the 10:30ish mass and then again for the noonish Pilgrim's mass that followed. A real treat!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

The "fuemrua", a translation of "flying smoking thing" I suppose, flies many many times a day, as long as a group of tourists flips the bill. Makes us all more tolerant when queuing in restaurants I suppose. Pop,your head in and see if the ropes are hanging down before mass starts. That will be your cue.

 

[Taz]

I have been to 5 masses (June 2016 and May 2017) and the Botafumero occurred each time due to people paying for it. Another thing I noticed is that when it is payed for, the front rows are roped off and reserved for the payees. So that is another clue.
It is a beautiful event, even with all of the inappropriate cameras, so I would try to see it once.
Beware you may lose your seat if you go for communion just prior. This happened to me last week. It was a bit sad but I kept quiet.

 

[pjacobi]

Last year I was amazed that whilst the mass was taking place people were allowed to continue touring the cathedral and hug the statue.

This has only be a problem for about 1,000 year! Pilgrimage churches were specially designed for accommodate hordes of noisy pilgrims venerating relics while at the same time a mass is in progress. Nobody has yet found a perfect solution.

-Paul

 

[Anemone del Camino]

This has only be a problem for about 1,000 year! Pilgrimage churches were specially designed for accommodate hordes of noisy pilgrims venerating relics while at the same time a mass is in progress. Nobody has yet found a perfect solution.

-Paul

Nope! In Santiago people are explicitly told to sit and be quiet. Security guards are there to enforce this. I wish there were more and were more rigorous.