In the Santiago de Compostela Archcathedral Basilica in Galicia, Spain, hangs a very special thurible.
What is a thurible?
Botafumeiro in the Santiago de Compostela Archcathedral Basilica.
Photo credit:JOSE LUIS HEREDIA/Flickr
What is the significance of the Botafumeiro?
The Botafumeiro is quite possibly the largest thurible in existence.
It stands 1.6 meters tall and weighs 53 kg.
When loaded with charcoal, it can weigh well over 100 kg.
While the censer is still within reach, it is given a hefty push to impart a lateral motion.
As the censer is raised, the oscillations become gradually larger.
Preparing to hoist the Botafumeiro.
Photo credit:Contando Estrelas/Flickr
Tiraboleiros pull the ropes.
Photo credit:Contando Estrelas/Wikimedia Commons
Photo credit:Contando Estrelas/Flickr
The system of pulleys holding the Botafumeiro aloft.
It was believed that incense smoke had a prophylactic effect at the time of plagues and epidemics.
The Festivals of Santiago de Compostela: The Procession of the Relics.
Art by Daniel Vierge (1851 1904).
Consequently, a new thurible was made out of brass and installed in 1851.
This is the thurible that is currently in use.
Isnt it dangerous to have 50 kg of hot coals swinging 20 meters above the heads of visitors?
While it was being swung, the Botafumeiro flew out of the cathedral through the Platerias high window.
Fortunately no one was hurt.
It was created in 1971.
