Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela announced that Pilgrim Mass will be moved from the Cathedral to other nearby Churches in all of 2019

The Pilgrim community woke up in shock this morning as the Dean of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela announced there will be no Mass at all in the Cathedral in 2019 because of the ongoing restoration works. In this article, we would like to clarify what this means, why this should not impact your travel plans and detail where you will be able to attend Mass during this time.

For the first time since it was built, there will be no service in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela at all for 12 to 18 months, starting from next week, Monday, January 28th 2019.

The Cathedral & the Pilgrim Office did warn pilgrims and neighbours of Santiago for over a year that there might not be any use of the Botafumeiro during Pilgrim Mass for 6 months in 2019, but the latest news is much worst than expected:

After months of investigation and negotiation, the Dean of the Cathedral has announced today that due to the unexpected scope and magnitude of the essential works required in the interior it will be impossible to maintain the normal activity in the main altar, naves and in the chapels of the basilica.

Información sobre el traslado de las misas de la Catedral de Santiago durante las obras en el interior de la basílica

So no Pilgrim Mass in the Cathedral, no guided tour of the Cathedral, no visit of the rooftop and no Botafumeiro Ceremony until the end of the renovations!

But the Cathedral will remain open for visits in the areas not under construction, you will be able to see the newly repainted Portico de la Gloria and Pilgrim Mass will be moved to different churches around the City.

Monuments on the Plaza del Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela

Beautiful Santiago de Compostela is famous world-wide for its Gothic Cathedral, the resting place of the Apostle Saint James and the end of the Camino de Santiago. But inside the old Medieval walls that surround the City there is much more to discover for those who allow themselves to wander and who know what to look for. In this article, we would like to give you a bit more insight on the monuments that make the most stricking and important of the 5 squares of the Cathedral – The Plaza del Obradoiro.

The Plaza del Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela, at the end of the Camino

What monuments will you find on the Main Square of the Plaza del Obradoiro

The Portico de la Gloria of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

The main facade of the Cathedral has a style that is unique in the world known as Compostela Baroque. It was built, by the architect Fernando de Casa y Noboa between 1738 and 1750. Continue reading Monuments on the Plaza del Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela

The 2016 Year of Mercy & the Opening of the Holy Door in Santiago de Compostela on Holy Years

On the 13th of December 2015, the Archbishop Barrio of Santiago de Compostela opened the Holy Door of his Cathedral under the recommendation of the Pope Francis in honor of the 2016 Jubilee Year of Mercy. This is an extraordinary event as the Holy Door should only be opened on Jubilee Years, when the Feast of Saint James, the 25th of July, falls on a Sunday.

Opening the Holy Door of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela The Holy Door of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela from inside[/caption]

According to Catholic traditions, walking the Camino on a Holy Year or during the 2016 Year of Mercy and entering the Cathedral of Santiago through the Holy Door gives believers plenary indulgence.

In this post, we would like to explain what this means and what happens on traditional Holy Years.
Continue reading The 2016 Year of Mercy & the Opening of the Holy Door in Santiago de Compostela on Holy Years