What is the Botafumeiro and how does it work?
The Botafumeiro is the largest incense burner in the world, located in the Cathedral of Santiago. The name comes from Galician “botar fumeiro,” which means “to throw smoke” or “to emit smoke.” It is set in motion during solemn masses and the most important religious festivities. The function of the Botafumeiro is to spread incense throughout the cathedral as a symbol of purification and prayer.
Currently, the Botafumeiro measures 1.60 meters in height and weighs about 62 kilos when empty. To set it in motion, eight tiraboleiros are needed, who pull a rope and make it swing until it reaches a speed of almost 70 kilometers per hour at its highest point.
The 1499 incident: the visit of Catherine of Aragon
The first incident of the Botafumeiro was in 1499, during the visit of Princess Catherine of Aragon, who was traveling to England to marry Prince Arthur.
According to the story, the chains holding the Botafumeiro broke during the swinging. The censer was flung towards the Puerta de Platerías, one of the main entrances. Legend has it that it was hurled straight through the cathedral’s rose window and flew outside, landing in the Fuente de los Caballos in Plaza de Platerías. Luckily, there were no fatalities in this incident, and the cathedral was spared a major fire.
The scare of 1622: the breaking of the rope
In 1622, another incident occurred with the Botafumeiro. At that time, the censer used was made of solid silver and weighed considerably more than the current one. During the ceremony, the rope holding the Botafumeiro broke and it fell to the ground.
As a result of its great weight, the breaking of the rope was inevitable, and the Botafumeiro fell onto the tiraboleiros who were underneath. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. The old chronicles say that everyone came out unharmed and that the scare was greater than the actual damage.
The 1937 incident: the failure of the ropes
In 1937, the Botafumeiro once again caused an incident. On this occasion, the problem was the failure of one of the ropes holding it. The Botafumeiro veered off its trajectory, and the burning embers were sent flying all over the cathedral.
When the Botafumeiro fell, the embers scattered across the cathedral floor. Fortunately, the fire did not spread, but the marks from the incident remained etched into the floor for years. After this incident, the ropes of the object were reinforced. Currently, special ropes tied with sailor’s knots are used.
Why do these incidents occur? The physics of the Botafumeiro
The Botafumeiro is a physical device that obeys the laws of pendulum motion. Understanding how it works is essential to understanding why accidents occur.
In 2002, the Professor of Physics at the University of Santiago, Juan Ramón Sanmartín, conducted a study on the Botafumeiro. He discovered that the chains withstand a tension of up to 800 kilos during the swinging. This tension, combined with wear on the ropes, can cause incidents if proper maintenance is not carried out. At its lowest point, the Botafumeiro reaches its maximum speed and maximum tension. This is the most critical moment.
According to Sanmartín’s study, the most dangerous moment is when the device is at its highest point, because that is when the motion is most unstable and the probability of the rope breaking is greatest.
Frequently asked questions about the Botafumeiro
Is it safe to watch the Botafumeiro today?
Yes, nowadays it is completely safe. After the historical incidents, all safety measures have been reinforced. The ropes are changed regularly and undergo rigorous checks. Additionally, the safety perimeter prevents visitors from getting too close during operation.
How many times a day is the Botafumeiro used?
The Botafumeiro is not used every day. It is only used during solemn masses, such as the Day of Santiago (July 25), the feast of the Apostle, and other special celebrations. It is also used during pilgrimages of large groups that request it in advance.
How much does it cost to operate the Botafumeiro?
Operating the Botafumeiro costs around 300 euros per use. This cost covers the charcoal, incense, and the work of the tiraboleiros.
