High Altar of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
In the middle you can see the the botafumeiro, hanging from the ceiling. This larger-than-life silver censer is used to burn incense during Mass—swung at 68 km/h (40 mph) from one end of the transept to the other.
Today it fills the cathedral with a heavenly, woody fragrance, but in the Middle Ages it was all the Church could do to cover up the stench of the sweaty, unbathed hordes of pilgrims. It’s most often swung during the noon pilgrim Mass and for special occasions.
High Altar of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
In the middle you can see the the botafumeiro, hanging from the ceiling. This larger-than-life silver censer is used to burn incense during Mass—swung at 68 km/h (40 mph) from one end of the transept to the other.
Today it fills the cathedral with a heavenly, woody fragrance, but in the Middle Ages it was all the Church could do to cover up the stench of the sweaty, unbathed hordes of pilgrims. It’s most often swung during the noon pilgrim Mass and for special occasions.