Author: Thom

The narrow medieval streets in the old town of Santiago twist and wind like a maze around the Cathedral. The streets are lined with shops and cafés, hotels and albergues, churches and museums. This particular street is one of several that radiate out from the Cathedral squares, and it is famous for having many tapas bars, one after the other. […]

The organ of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, with its multi-story pipes at right angles and its fantastic cherubs, dominates the central nave. It’s so large that the horizontal pipes nearly meet in the middle of the nave. And it’s ear-splittingly loud when played for effect. Date: 03 May 2016Place: Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain)

The Cathedral of Santiago contains numerous chapels, some quite simple and some extravagant. I’m limiting myself to just five photos. What can be said about this magnificent carving of Christ being taken down from the Cross? It looks as though they are about to lay him in the sepulcher of the altar – the tomb prepared for Him from the […]

The Cathedral of Santiago contains numerous chapels, some quite simple and some extravagant. I’m limiting myself to just five photos. I very much love this particular chapel, though it’s pretty obvious that the reredos could use a major restoration. I shudder to think how many layers of paint have been splopped up there by enthusiastic amateurs. Date: 03 May 2016 […]

The Cathedral of Santiago contains numerous chapels, some quite simple and some extravagant. I’m limiting myself to just five photos. This Gothic chapel with its marvelous wooden altar and reredos hearkens back to the original fabric of the Cathedral. It’s lovely, but I certainly hope somebody did something about the moss growing on the walls! I’d hate for it to […]

The Cathedral of Santiago contains numerous chapels, some quite simple and some extravagant. I’m limiting myself to just five photos. This is the reconciliation chapel, for those who prefer face-to-face rather than using one of the Cathedral’s numerous confessionals. The statue of Virgin and Child on the right looks for all the world to me like an image of Our […]

The Cathedral of Santiago contains numerous chapels, some quite simple and some extravagant. I’m limiting myself to just five photos. This first is one of my favourites. Simple and elegant. Clearly, the reredos are in need of restoration, but there’s something I find moving about this sort of shabby grandeur. Date: 03 May 2016 Place: Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain)

The Botafumeiro is a thurible roughly the size of a child. During many of the Pilgrim Masses, it is swung overhead for the full length of the north and south transepts, which are really naves in themselves. This is the third Botafumeiro. The first was in use from the 13th century until it was pillaged by Napoleon’s armies in 1809. […]

A few days ago, when I was discussing the Apostle’s tomb, I talked about the worn steps. For more than a thousand years, pilgrims from all over the world have come here. Here’s what that looks like. Date: 03 May 2016 Place: Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain)

These confessionals line the walls all along the perimeter of the Cathedral in Santiago. Most have a sign indicated what languages the priest will hear confessions in. This is a photo of the priest who heard my end-of-pilgrimage confession. After leaving the confessional, I turned around and snapped the photo. He was already hearing another confession. Date: 03 May 2016 […]