Requesting the Botafumeiro

[gohoyas]

Has anyone requested and paid for the botafumeiro to be used at a mass at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela? What are the requirements other than paying the fee? Is it 400 Euro? We are willing to pay but am wondering what other requirements there are. Thank you for any information. I did email the Pilgrim's office today.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Honnestly, unless you are going to be in Santiago for only a couple of hours don't bother. The botafumeiro flies quite frequently. Just pop your head in some 20 minutes before a mass and see if the ropes our down. If they are, it will fly. And yes, I beleive it's 300€ or so.

Now, if you want to pay to see it, be sure to sit where you will see it fly over you, which means to the sides of the altar, not facing it. And towards the back is my preference, although many more hands will rise to take photos, even if people keep being told to put cameras away.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The fee varies a bit depending on who is requesting, but 400E is a central figure. You have to arrange ahead, so call the Cathedral for specifics. The swing is not handled by the Pilgrim Office.

The Botafumeiro can also operate for pilgrimages that have duly requested it from the Cathedral. To reserve the Botafumeiro write an email to: botafumeiro@catedraldesantiago.es.

 

[Gillean]

There seem to be a lot of tour groups from the cruise ships in the Cathedral for the noon mass and I think they may be paying for the botafumeiro to swing when they visit. They also seem to have a block of reserved seats set aside for the tourists.

 

[Priscilla NC]

If you pay to see it, be sure to arrive at Mass an hour ahead of time to get a good seat. I went to 2 Pilgrim Masses, the first time I arrived 40 minutes before noon and had to stand. A real crush of people. The next day I got there about an hour early and I did get a seat, but didn't have a whole lot of choice.

The botafumeiro swung both times. This was Monday/Tuesday May 30/31.

 

[peregrina2000]

I think, but am not sure, that if you pay for the botafumeiro, you get a seat inside the altar gate. I don't know how that would work if it's a cruise ship that's paying, though!

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Not nowadays Laurie!

 

[peregrina2000]

Not nowadays Laurie!

Ok, that's two errors in the last two days, waiting for strike three and then you can banish me for a month, JW.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Groups with a common t-shirt often are in that area. There may be a relationship between paying and the seats, but it may have a large discretionary component!

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Ok, that's two errors in the last two days, waiting for strike three and then you can banish me for a month, JW.

For your penance come to lunch more often!

The when it flies the Botafumeiro lasts for around 7 minutes - value for money?

 

[Sandune]

We found this too! Tour groups rule!!