How long will the church be under repair?

[Peregrino Falcon]

Last year when I arrived in Santiago I was surprised to see the scaffolding on the cathedral. Does anyone know if it is still up and if so, how long it will be up? Thanks!

 

[wayfarer]

Ivar may be able to answer that better than most as he lives there but one section was nearly complete last time I was there.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola - the North Tower (left looking at the cathedral from the Plaza Obradoiro) is finished and the scaffolding has largely been removed. The South Tower is almost finished but they discovered structural problems caused by erosion in a cupola which has delayed the completion.

 

[Anamya]

Late May it was still being repaired. One of the towers was beautiful, the other one and the front entrance were still covered.

And the cathedral tour guide said they will protect the statue of Maestro Matteo and people won't be able to touch it anymore, because "many pilgrims were punching it so hard that it was getting heavily damaged".

 

[scruffy1]

One of the more common sights in European travel, Spain, France, Italy, doesn't matter, your favorite church/cathedral covered in blue plastic tarp and scaffolding - sigh.

 

[lucas221]

OLA, any update news about the restoration? I am planing to visit soon.

 

[Bala]

Late May it was still being repaired. One of the towers was beautiful, the other one and the front entrance were still covered.

And the cathedral tour guide said they will protect the statue of Maestro Matteo and people won't be able to touch it anymore, because "many pilgrims were punching it so hard that it was getting heavily damaged".

Oh, wow. How sad, but a sign of the times I guess with any ancient building. Even without "punching" I'd image the statue would have begun to wear heavily over the years.

My husband and I visited Santiago in 2006 as tourists, walked into the cathedral, placed our fingers in the "proper" indentations on the pillar, and then climbed the stairs to the statue of St. James and gave him a hug. I remember being awed at the thought that thousands had done the same before me, over hundreds of years. Who would have guessed that when we finally arrive as pilgrims, neither one may still be possible. A good thing to remember when I might be tempted to touch some other statue, object, way-marker along the trail. We leave our marks whether we realize it or not.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I remember being awed at the thought that thousands had done the same before me

It took human hands from about 1188 onward to make the indentation. Yes, there is impact with each touch, but not much.

 

[Bala]

It took human hands from about 1188 onward to make the indentation. Yes, there is impact with each touch, but not much.

It'seems comforting to think of that. Let's hope it's around another 800 years or so for all those future pilgrims to look at and consider.

 

[jeffnd]

One of the more common sights in European travel, Spain, France, Italy, doesn't matter, your favorite church/cathedral covered in blue plastic tarp and scaffolding - sigh.

Those churches don't stick around for a thousand years without a little upkeep. Let's count ourselves fortunate to see the work of modern day craftsmen who carry on the work of their predecessors.

 

[lucas221]

Anyone know that is the restoration work complete yet??

 

[Juno]

Hi, I too would like to know if the cathedral is unwrapped yet? It being May 2016, could someone let us all know and also whether the scaffolding was over the pilgrims door as this is the Pope's year of mercy and it would be nice to use the pilgrim's entrance. Thanks in anticipation!

 

[stevedeployed]

I took this picture 30 April 2016 on arrival. Not sure when it will come down. Still a beautiful sight.

 

[stevedeployed]

The door of mercy was open and on the other side of the cathedral. We were able to pass through it.

 

[Juno]

Wow that's more scaffolding than in 2015! Thanks for the pic, most illuminating (pun looking forward and hoping to walk through that special door as you have. Thanks for your kind reply.

 

[stevedeployed]

Wow that's more scaffolding than in 2015! Thanks for the pic, most illuminating (pun looking forward and hoping to walk through that special door as you have. Thanks for your kind reply.

Buen Camino!

 

[C clearly]

How sad, but a sign of the times

It's not what we'd like to cast our eyes on, but I am happy to see that it is being repaired. So it's a good sign of the times!