Botafumeiro

The Botafumeiro officially operates during these solemn dates: • 6 January: Epiphany • Between 22 March and 25 April in the Gregorian calendar: Easter • Between 30 April and 3 June in the Gregorian calendar: Feast of the Ascension (39 days after Easter) • 23 May: The Apparition of the Apostle-Clavijo • Between 10 May and 13 June in the Gregorian calendar: Pentecost (50 days after Easter) • 25 July: The Feast of Saint James • 15 August: Assumption of Mary • 1 November: All Saints' Day • 20–26 November: Feast of Christ the King (Last Sunday of the liturgical year) • 8 December: Immaculate Conception • 25 December: Christmas • 30 December: Transfer of the Body of James the Apostle to Galicia A private thurible "performance" is available for about €450.

The Botafumeiro is carried and swung by eight men in mauve capes called roupóns, known as tiraboleiros. The term tiraboleiro derives from the Latin turibularium (incensary), from which comes thuribularii, meaning 'incense carrier or smoke spreader'. The English equivalent is thurifer. There is a comparable term in Spanish, turiferario.

• Illustration — The swinging Botafumeiro dispensing clouds of incense. One tradition has it that the use of a swinging censer in the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral began in the 11th century, though the earliest documented reference is an annotation in the Codex Calixtinus, where it is referred to as Turibulum Magnum, placing it firmly in the 12th century. Arriving pilgrims were tired and unwashed. It was also believed that incense smoke had a prophylactic effect at the time of plagues and epidemics. Incense burning is also an important part of the liturgy, being an "oration to God", or form of prayer. In the 13th century, the pulley mechanism was changed to incorporate a set of coaxial drums of different diameters. Without this innovation, the largest excursion of the Botafumeiro would be about 1.5 meters, the length of the rope pulled by the tiraboleiros. In the 15th century, France's King Louis XI (1423–1483) donated money to the cathedral to replace their medieval thurible, which was made of silver. A new silver thurible was put into service in 1554. Unfortunately, this ornate vessel was stolen by Napoleon's troops in April, 1809, during an episode in the Spanish War of Independence (1808–1814). Therefore, the Louis XI censer was replaced by the present less-ostentatious Losada thurible in 1851. After 155 years of use, the Botafumeiro was restored in early 2006 by artisans and craftsmen working under Luis Molina Acedo. They repaired the dents and cracks in the Botafumeiro and reapplied a 20 micrometre thick plating of silver to the vessel. Many other cathedrals had similar large thuribles at one time. However, most of the other cathedrals discontinued the use of their swinging censers over the years.

Over the years, a number of accidents have occurred during the swinging of the Botafumeiro. Apparently at one time, the Botafumeiro was attached to the rope with a hook which sometimes became disconnected. One of the most renowned accidents took place during a visit of Princess Catherine of Aragon. The incident occurred on 25 July 1499, during the Feast of Saint James, when a mass was held in her honor. While it was being swung, the Botafumeiro flew out of the cathedral through the Platerias high window. No one was reported to have been injured on this occasion. The ropes and other devices securing the Botafumeiro have also failed; on May 23, 1622, and more recently in 1925 and July 1937. In 1622, the Botafumeiro fell at the feet of the tiraboleiros. In July 1937, the cords holding the Botafumeiro failed again, and hot coals were spilled onto the floor. Current procedure is to attach the rope to the Botafumeiro with a set of sailor's knots.

• A simulation of the motion of the Botafumeiro • Another simulation of the motion of the Botafumeiro

• Botafumeiro video • HD movie of the Botafumeiro

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