How to visit and what to see in Santiago de Compostela Cathedral: schedules

You already know that among the top monuments to visit in Spain is the the Cathedral of Santiago of Compostela, riding a Galicia.

Due to the number of visitors it receives each year, it is at the highest level next to the Alhambra of Granada, Holy Family of Barcelona or Prado museum in Madrid.

Although in the case of the the Cathedral of Santiago of Compostela the exact number cannot be known Visitantes Since there is no entry control, it is estimated that it exceeds three million every year.

That's right, I can tell you that the cathedral museum It has almost 200.000 visitors a year, with a constant increase that continues year after year, and you can now visit from July 1 behind the reopening of the cathedral once the State of alarm by Covid-19.

Pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela

On the other hand, the number of pilgrims who make the the Camino de Santiago and arrives at the cathedral where the tomb of Apostle James every year it is increasing.

And this is regardless of whether the pilgrimage in many cases lasts until Finisterre.

Of course, it is in the years that coincide with the celebration of the Jubilee Holy Year when traditionally the historic temple has a greater number of visitors.

If you are curious, here you can check the statistics with the number of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, monitoring carried out by the Pilgrim Office month by month, which reflect the continuous growth.

When is Holy Year in Santiago de Compostela

ButWhen is the Holy Jubilee Year celebrated??

This is a bull that was granted to Compostela in 1122 by the Pope Callistus II, and it consists of the fact that the years that the Feast of the Apostle Santiago, July 25, which falls on a Sunday, the faithful can obtain the indulgence by visiting the the Cathedral of Santiago of Compostela.

In these years, also known as Jacobean Holy Year, opens the Holy Door for access by pilgrims, who must also attend a mass and receive the sacraments of penance and communion.

Taking into account the aforementioned requirement of the Santiago festivity, the last holy years They were in 2004 and 2010; the next Holy Year in Compostela It will be in 2021, and the following ones, in 2017 and 2032.

Santiago Compostela Cathedral schedules

If you have decided that this is going to be your year to make the road to Santiago and make a pilgrimage to its cathedral, or you simply go to visit Santiago de Compostela on a tourist trip, you are interested in knowing the opening hours of the cathedral.

The Visiting hours of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela After its reopening they are, every day of the year, from 9 a.m. to 19 p.m., and you must enter through the Puerta de las Platerías.

Visit the museum of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

But if you really want to know the temple, with its artistic and historical corners, you must sign up for the tour known as museum-cathedralwhose schedules after reopening They are from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10,30:14,30 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

This visit, with various modalities, allows you to see the permanent artistic collection and temporary exhibitions of the Gelmírez palace.

Also during the visit you will tour the roofs and tribunes of the cathedral, as well as the archaeological excavations, to end in the Porch of Glory.

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Museum ticket prices

The ticket prices of the different modalities of free visit They range from 6 euros to 12 euros for the most complete visit.

Here you can check prices and book tickets online.

Visits to the decks, stands and archaeological excavations are temporarily suspended due to restoration works.

When does the Santiago Compostela Botafumeiro work?

Finally, you are also interested in knowing When does the botafumeiro of the Santiago Cathedral work? and what are the schedules.

I will remind you that the boot It has become one of the symbols of the Cathedral of Santiago, and its operation reaches the levels of a true spectacle.

What is the botafumeiro of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

It is actually a censer, which is considered the largest in the world.

Its tradition in Santiago de Compostela It dates back to the 11th century, and was established with the idea of ​​perfuming the interior of the temple to eliminate the bad odors left by untidy pilgrims.

The current boot which hangs from the central dome of the cathedral, made of brass and plated in silver, measures one and a half meters high and weighs 53 kilos.

It works with a pulley system that, with the effort of eight people, causes the boot swings towards the side naves.

Dates and times of the botafumeiro of the Cathedral of Santiago

When the Jubilee Holy Year, botafumeiro of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela It works every day of the year during the 12 o'clock mass.

In the years when the Holy yearUnder normal conditions, the botafumeiro usually operates every Friday of the year at 19,30:XNUMX p.m. mass.

Here you can check the dates and days of operation of the botafumeiro of the cathedral of Santiago nowadays.