El Botafumeiro
by Redang
El Botafumeiro is a big incensory of around 45 kgs. of weight and 1,5 m. of height. It was built in 1.554 thanks to an offer of King Luis XI of France. The first one was made of solver but it was stolen by french troops in 1.809.
The tradition is the swinging (from the dome on the roof, see pics) of the Botafumeiro after the pilgrims' mass at noon every day during the Holy Year. The Botafumeiro is carried and swung by eight men in red robes called tiraboleiros. The term "tiraboleiro" is a Galician distortion of the Latin word "turifer", which means "incense carrier".
Note: The Botafumeiro can be seen in the Chapter Room of the Cathedral's Museum.
Convento de San Francsico
by Redang
Baroque style, the Convent of San Francisco de Valdediós was founded by St. Francis of Assisi during his visit to Santiago de Compostela in 1.214.
Address: Costa de San Francisco/Rúa de San Francisco.
From Praza do Obradoiro, and facing the Catheral, take Rúa de San Francisco on your left and walk for a few minutes.
Zona Vieja
by Nexus7
This is the medieval area of the city which surround the cathedral. There are many cobble stone streets that one can get lost in. Many old shops, not just t-shirt stores, can be found here. Ceramics, lace, and restaurants are located here.
El mercado de abastos / The market
by elpariente
Es una parte de Santiago en la que vale la pena dar un paseo , para ver sus gentes , sus instalaciones o para comprarte unos pimientos de Padrón , flores , un queso de tetilla o ....
Temprano vienen las aldeanas de la zona a vender sus productos e instalan sus puestos con los productos de su huerta o los que elaboran en casa , lo que da un colorido y un interés adicional a este mercado
El mercado está alrededor de la capilla de San Fiz de Solovio , en unas naves de piedra y en los puestos que se colocan alrededor
It is part of the Santiago that worth a stroll, to see its people, its facilities or to buy some peppers from Padrón, flowers , a teat cheese or....
Early in the morning the local peasants come to sell their products and install their stalls with their farm products or those produced at home, giving a colorful and an additional interest to this market
The market is around the chapel of San Fiz de Solovio , in some stone buildings and in the stalls that are placed around
Praza de Inmaculada
by suvanki
This Praza is a busy thoroughfare, which leads into Praza Obradoiro, through the Xelmirez arch - a place where the acoustics attract musicians.
This is where You're likely to encounter a gaiteros - A traditional Galician bagpiper - the instrument has Celtic roots.
I heard one such musician on my first evening, which added to the atmosphere of the place
UPDATE- During my August 09 visit I came across another gaiteros (pic 4) and enjoyed listening to him playing.
Next to the Arch is the Archbishops Palace.
Opposite the North facade of the Cathedral is the huge Benedictine Mosteiro de San Martino Pinario, once the most powerful monastery in Galicia. It is now a theology college and in summer becomes a hotel for pilgrims. Part of the Monastery houses exhibitions.
In front of the Monastery are some small gardens.
The street that leads into the Praza, is the way that pilgrims enter the Cathedral bounderies, the door on the North facade was once the entry for pilgrims. The street (and the door) are called Acibecheria.
The street once housed jet (azabache) workshops, which were a lucrative industry in the 13th century. There is still some crafting of this stone here today
The Praza itself was an important business area for medieval merchants.
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Pórtico de la Gloria (Santiago de C., Spain)
Cathedral of Santiago de C. (Spain)
Rúa do Vilar (Santiago de C., Spain)
Praza de Cervantes
