Camino Photo of the Day: Botafumeiro

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. An iron version was in use from the Napoleonic Wars until the present silver-plated one was first hoisted in 1851. Empty, it weighs about 53 kg (116 pounds). Full with fuel and incense, nearly 80 kg. The swinging of the Botafumeiro is a magnificent sight, and it has moved many pilgrims to tears, me included.

Date: 03 May 2016
Place: Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain)