Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is the government capital of Galicia, the seat of the autonomous government the university which has a history of 500 years is also located here. The estimated population of Santiago is more than 100.000 inhabitants of which 33.000 are students, this gives the city an interesting university atmosphere.

The old quarter of the city was professed World Heritage by UNESCO in 1985 not only because of the importance of “St.James´s Way” (the pilgrimage route) but also because of the unique collection of Romanesque and Baroque art which can be seen in magnificent buildings like the cathedral and the university. Besides the most important monuments there are also shops, hotels and restaurants in this area.
In the famous “Obradoiro” square ,which is in the centre of the city, you will see the majestic Santiago Cathedral. Just opposite the cathedral in “Pazo Raxoi” square you can admire the Town hall which is in neoclassical style. The old quarter was destroyed by the Muslims and rebuilt in the 10th century.

“El Parador de Santiago” or “Hostal Reyes Católicos” as it is also called is a top end hotel in the same square. The catholic kings Ferdinand and Isabella ordered this to be built as an Inn and now centuries later it still functions as a hotel.

There are seven gates around the walls of the city of Santiago. “Porta Fraxeira” in the old quarter, is one of them if you go through it you will come to “Alameda” park and from there is an interesting route on foot which borders part of the historic quarter so you can see wonderful views of the monuments.

The Botafumeiro

The “Botafumeiro” is an enormous incense burner which hangs from the ceiling in Santiago cathedral. The origin is no doubt curious; it goes back to the XVI century.In those days the cathedral was always packed with pilgrims who slept there, the lack of personal hygiene was very evident so the smell was most unpleasant. In order to camouflage it it was decided to counteract it with another smell by scattering incense from the huge incense burner (50kg In weight).

The incense burner is hung from the highest point in the cathedral. The “tiraboleiros”, men dressed in red tunics are in charge of the burner they pull the ropes to start the pendular movement of the burner so spreading the smell of incense along the three naves of the cathedral. Without doubt it is a spectacle well worth seeing. It is not a daily occurrence only on special occasions can it be seen.
Watch a Botafumeiro video