How long will the church be under repair?

Peregrino Falcon

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Time of past OR future Camino

(SJPP - Finisterre)

• Jul 16, 2015

• #1

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

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2012, 2013, 2014.

• Jul 16, 2015

• #2

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

Nunca se camina solo

Donating Member

• Jul 16, 2015

• #3

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

Keeping it simple

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Frances (2015)
Portugues (2017)
Lebaniego (2019)

• Jul 17, 2015

• #4

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

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Holy Year from Pamplona 2010, SJPP 2011, Lisbon 2012, Le Puy 2013, Vezelay (partial watch this space!) 2014; 2015 Toulouse-Puenta la Reina (Arles)

• Jul 17, 2015

• #5

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.

 

L

lucas221

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2015

• Sep 19, 2015

• #6

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

 

Bala

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Frances 2015, 2018, 2022

• Sep 19, 2015

• #7

Anamya said:

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".

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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.

 

D

Deleted member 3000

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• Sep 19, 2015

• #8

Bala said:

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

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

 

Bala

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Frances 2015, 2018, 2022

• Sep 20, 2015

• #9

falcon269 said:

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

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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

Active Member

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March/April 2014

• Sep 20, 2015

• #10

scruffy1 said:

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.

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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.

 

L

lucas221

New Member

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2015

• Sep 20, 2015

• #11

Anyone know that is the restoration work complete yet??

 

Juno

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Camino French Way (2012 - 2014)
SJPDP - Sahagun (June 2015)
Sahagun - Muxia (June 2016)

• May 10, 2016

• #12

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

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CF April 2016 (Leon to SDC), CF 2017 from SJPDP hopefully!!!!

• May 10, 2016

• #13

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

 

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stevedeployed

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CF April 2016 (Leon to SDC), CF 2017 from SJPDP hopefully!!!!

• May 10, 2016

• #14

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

 

Juno

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Camino French Way (2012 - 2014)
SJPDP - Sahagun (June 2015)
Sahagun - Muxia (June 2016)

• May 10, 2016

• #15

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

New Member

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CF April 2016 (Leon to SDC), CF 2017 from SJPDP hopefully!!!!

• May 10, 2016

• #16

Juno said:

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.

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Buen Camino!

 

C clearly

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Most years since 2012

• May 10, 2016

• #17

Bala said:

How sad, but a sign of the times

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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!