The pilgrim mass and the Botafumeiro

2026-10-28

Pilgrims Mass in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

A special pilgrimage mass is held daily in honor of all pilgrims and to welcome them after their Camino de Santiago so that they can fulfill their pilgrimage with dignity. A true reward for their long pilgrimage.

As a welcome, at the beginning of the sermon, the pilgrims who have come to Santiago and who have received their Compostela within the last 24 hours are mentioned. Besides their name, their nationality and the place from which each pilgrim began their pilgrimage is mentioned.
 

Important Update: Changes to Pilgrim Mass Locations

Due to restoration work in the main chapel of Santiago Cathedral, three of the four daily Pilgrim Masses have been temporarily moved to San Agustín Church since 16 October 2026.

The Mass times remain unchanged, but the locations are as follows:

Time	Location
7:30 AM	Santiago Cathedral – Communion Chapel
9:30 AM	San Agustín Church
12:00 PM	San Agustín Church
7:30 PM	San Agustín Church

San Agustín Church is located next to Mercado de Abastos, approximately a five-minute walk from the Cathedral.

Good to know:

• The changes are temporary, but no end date has been announced.

• Santiago Cathedral remains open to visitors daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

We recommend checking the latest Mass schedules before your visit.

Masses in English and Other Languages

Language	Time	Location
English	10:30 AM (except Wednesdays)	Pilgrim Reception Office Chapel
French	9:15 AM	Pilgrim Reception Office Chapel
Polish	4:00 PM	Pilgrim Reception Office Chapel
Italian	4:30 PM (daily)	Santa María do Camiño
German	9:00 AM (Mon–Sat) / 11:00 AM (Sun)	San Fructuoso

Mass times may change. Please check the latest information at catedraldesantiago.es before attending.

Please note: The English Mass is listed without seasonal restrictions, but its availability during the winter months (November–March) has not been officially confirmed. We recommend checking with the Pilgrim Reception Office upon arrival.

The Butafumeiro

Botafumeiro Temporarily Out of Service 

The famous Botafumeiro in Santiago Cathedral is temporarily out of service due to restoration work. There is no technical problem with the incense burner itself, but scaffolding is blocking its suspension mechanism.

No date has yet been announced for its return. This also applies to special religious celebrations when the Botafumeiro would normally be used, including All Saints’ Day on 1 November.

We therefore recommend checking the current situation before your visit if you are hoping to see the Botafumeiro.

For further information: Cathedral's official website or botafumeiro@catedraldesantiago.es.

 

During Holy Years, (when July 25th falls on a Sunday) the Botafumeiro (literally 'Smoke Spreader' in Galician) is one of the best known and popular symbols of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

According to legend, the first temple censer was built for hygienic reasons during the eleventh century. In the Middle Ages, pilgrims, exhausted after finishing The Camino, congregated in the cathedral and to combat the accumulation of body odors, a breeding ground for epidemics, a large censer was commissioned. In the sixteenth century, thanks to a gift of King Louis XI of France, the medieval artifact was replaced by a new one, also of silver. The censer was stolen by Napoleon's troops in 1809 during the War of Spanish Independence. Therefore, the censer of Louis XI was replaced by the current and less ostentatious one in 1851. After 155 years of use, the Botafumeiro was restored in early 2006.

The Botafumeiro has an oscillating movement, up anddown the aisle of the Cathedral, operated by a pulley system pulled by eight men called tiraboleiros. The beginning and end of the oscillation is carried out by the main 'tiraboleiro', who is also the one who sets the pace.

The Botafumeiro weighs 53 kg and is one and a half meter tall. It rises to 20 meters high and can reach a speed of 70 kilometers per hour. The botafumeiro can be seen in the solemn masses (see times below). The rest of the days another lesser copy of the original is used and is known by the name of Artichoke.

Traditionaly the Botafumeiro operates during the following Solemnities:

• The Epiphany: 6 January
• Resurrection Sunday
• The Apparition of the Apostle-Clavijo: 23 May
• Pentecost
• The Martyrdom of Saint James: 25 July
• The Assumption of Mary: 15 August
• All Saints: 1 November
• Christ the King
• The Immaculate Conception: 8 December
• Christmas: 25 December
• Transfer of the remains of the Apostle: 30 December

  Important: The Botafumeiro is currently out of service due to restoration work in Santiago Cathedral.
  
  The Botafumeiro has been out of service since 24 August 2026 because scaffolding around the cathedral’s dome blocks the mechanism from which it hangs.

  On 1 November, All Saints’ Day, the Botafumeiro will not be used. This is normally one of the twelve religious celebrations when its use is guaranteed, which is why many websites still indicate that it will take place.

  The Cathedral confirmed in writing on 5 September that the Botafumeiro remains out of service. The scaffolding for the dome restoration has been lowered and now blocks its suspension mechanism. There is no technical fault, and no date has yet been announced for its return.
  
  It is not yet known when it will be used again, including during the religious celebrations listed above.

  We therefore recommend checking the latest information on the Cathedral's official website before your visit.

If none of these dates are viable, visitors also have the option to enjoy the spectacle of the Botafumeiro by requesting it in advance at the Pilgrim Office, or write an email directly to botafumeiro@catedraldesantiago.es. This option assumes a cost of 300-500 euros.

Days where the Botafumeiro is in function.

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