Galicia, DE Northern COMPOSTELA SANTIAGO Spain Celebration Time Santiago is just one of those places - people are happy to be there. Religious traditions aside, the square (Praza do Obradoiro) is celebration IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CATHEDRAL central. Wedding parties Santiago is a busy place. The plaza infront of the cathedral is huge. intermix with Gaiteiros (Galician bagpipe It needs to be, to accommodate tourist, pilgrims, souvenir stalls & costumed bagpipers. players) who stand within Dominating the plaza, the 9th century cathedral is believed to contain the sacred relics of ear-shot of a hurdy-gudy the apostle St James, which lie beneath the alter in a decorative silver coffer. For centuries the and a folk band with cathedral has been a spiritual destination - today, for many travelers, it is the ending point of a tambourines and drums. long pilgrimage. Having walked a minimum 100 kilometers, hundreds of pilgrims a day arrive in Santiago, to rest their aching feet and receive The Compostela, a certificate of completion written in latin. No matter how you arrive in Santiago, the Cathedral is surely worth the effort. Exterior: A baroque facade fronts what is predominantly a Romanesque building. Flanked by two large bell towers, the front is adorned with statues of St James. The north side houses a one finger clock. Interior: A bejeweled medieval statute of the Saint stands at the alter. In the Capilla del Relicario a gold crucifix, dated 874, is said to contain Pilgrims, sporting broad a piece of the true cross. The Late Gothic cloister is well worth a visit. felt hats embellished with Botafumeiro: The famous 80 kg incense burner is suspended from symbols of scolloped a pulley in the dome, and shells, mingle with day- claims to be the largest in trippers and locals. It’s an the world. Reaching a ornate melting pot of speed of 68km/h, the silver urn swings high toing and froing. above the congregation, Galicia’s releasing a thick cloud of sweet national smelling smoke in it’s wake. The ceremony is holiday immensely popular with tourists and pilgrims alike. falls on 25th July - Tips:To witness the swinging of the Botafumeiro, attend the daily 12 noon pilgrims mass,even out book your of peak season (Jul/Aug) you should arrive very early. For a good spot to photograph the cathedral hotel well and plaza, try from the terrace of Hostal dos Reis Catolicos, Parador (hotel) overlooking the square. in advance..