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Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

The Santiago de Compostela Archcathedral Basilica (Spanish and Galician: Catedral Basilica de Santiago de Compostela) is part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela and is an integral component of the Santiago de Compostela World Heritage Site in Galicia, Spain. The cathedral is the reputed burial place of Saint James the Great, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. It is also among the remaining churches in the world built over the tomb of an apostle, the other ones being St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, St Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai in India and Basilica of St. John in Izmir, Turkey.

Metropolitan Archcathedral Basilica of Santiago de Compostela
The western façade of the Metropolitan Archcathedral Basilica as seen from the Praza do Obradoiro.
Religion
AffiliationCatholic
DistrictSantiago de Compostela
RiteRoman Rite
LeadershipArchbishop Julián Barrio
Location
LocationSantiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
Shown within Spain
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (Galicia)
Geographic coordinates42°52′50″N 8°32′40″W / 42.880602°N 8.544377°W / 42.880602; -8.544377Coordinates: 42°52′50″N 8°32′40″W / 42.880602°N 8.544377°W / 42.880602; -8.544377
Architecture
TypeMetropolitan Archcathedral-Basilica
StyleRomanesque, Gothic, Baroque
Groundbreaking1075
Completed1211
Specifications
Direction of façadeWest
Capacity1,200
Length100 metres (330 ft)
Width70 metres (230 ft)
Height (max)75 metres (246 ft)
Spire(s)2
Official name: Santiago de Compostela (Old Town)
Criteriai, ii, vi
Designated1985[1]
Reference no.320bis
Official name: Catedral Igrexa Catedral Metropolitana
Designated22 August 1896
Reference no.(R.I.) - 51 - 0000072 - 00000[2]
Website
www.catedraldesantiago.es

The archcathedral basilica has historically been a place of pilgrimage on the Way of St James since the Early Middle Ages and marks the traditional end of the pilgrimage route. The building is a Romanesque structure, with later Gothic and Baroque additions.

History

According to the legend, the apostle Saint James the Great brought Christianity to the Iberian Peninsula.[3][4] According to legend, this tomb was rediscovered in AD 814 by Pelagius the Hermit, after he witnessed strange lights in the night sky. Bishop Theodomirus of Iria recognized this as a miracle and informed king Alfonso II of Asturias and Galicia (791–842). The king ordered the construction of a chapel on the site. Legend has it that the king was the first pilgrim to this shrine. This was followed by the first church in AD 829 and then in AD 899 by a pre-Romanesque church, ordered by king Alfonso III of León,[5] which caused the gradual development of this major place of pilgrimage.[6]

In 997 the early church was reduced to ashes by Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir (938–1002), army commander of the caliph of Córdoba. St James' tomb and relics were left undisturbed. The gates and the bells, carried by local Christian captives to Córdoba, were added to the Aljama Mosque.[7] When Córdoba was taken by king Ferdinand III of Castile in 1236, these same gates and bells were then transported by Muslim captives to Toledo, to be inserted in the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo.

Construction of the present cathedral began in 1075 under the reign of Alfonso VI of Castile (1040–1109) and the patronage of bishop Diego Peláez. It was built according to the same plan as the monastic brick church of Saint Sernin in Toulouse, probably the greatest Romanesque edifice in France. It was built mostly in granite. Construction was halted several times and, according to the Liber Sancti Iacobi, the last stone was laid in 1122. But by then, the construction of the cathedral was certainly not finished. The cathedral was consecrated in 1211 in the presence of king Alfonso IX of Leon.[8][9]

According to the Codex Calixtinus the architects were "Bernard the elder, a wonderful master", his assistants Robertus Galperinus and, later possibly, "Esteban, master of the cathedral works". In the last stage "Bernard, the younger" was finishing the building, while Galperinus was in charge of the coordination. He also constructed a monumental fountain in front of the north portal in 1122.

The city became an episcopal see in 1075 and the church its cathedral. Due to its growing importance as a place of pilgrimage, it was raised to an archiepiscopal see by pope Urban II in 1100. A university was added in 1495.

It has been proposed that the peculiar lantern towers of several churches in the Duero valley (Zamora, Plasencia, Toro, Évora) were inspired by the Romanesque dome of Santiago, substituted by a Gothic one in the 15th century.[10] The cathedral was expanded and embellished with additions in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Exterior of the cathedral

 
Overview of the cathedral complex.

Each of the façades along with their adjoining squares constitute a large urban square. The Baroque façade of the Praza do Obradoiro square was completed by Fernando de Casas Novoa in 1740. Also in baroque style is the Acibecharía façade by Ferro Caaveiro and Fernández Sarela, later modified by Ventura Rodríguez. The Pratarías façade, built by the Master Esteban in 1103, and most importantly the Pórtico da Gloria, an early work of Romanesque sculpture, were completed by Master Mateo in 1188.

Pórtico da Gloria

The Pórtico da Gloria ("Portico of the Glory" in Galician) of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is a Romanesque portico by Master Mateo and his workshop commissioned by King Ferdinand II of León. To commemorate its completion in 1188, the date was carved on a stone and set in the cathedral, and the lintels were placed on the portico. Finalising the complete three-piece set took until 1211, when the temple was consecrated in the presence of King Alfonso IX of León.[8][9]

The portico has three round arches that correspond to the three naves of the church, supported by thick piers with pilasters. The central arch, twice as wide as the other two, has a tympanum and is divided by a central column—a mullion—containing a depiction of Saint James. Vertically, the lower part is formed by the bases of the columns, decorated with fantastic animals, the middle portion consists of columns adorned with statues of the Apostles, and the upper part supports the base of the arches crowning the three doors. The sculpture is intended to serve as an iconographic representation of various symbols derived from the Book of Revelation and books of the Old Testament.[11]

Tympanum

The arrangement of the tympanum is based on the description of Christ that John the Evangelist makes in Revelation (Chapter 1 v 1 to 18). In the centre, the Pantocrator is shown, with the image of Christ in Majesty, displaying in his hands and feet the wounds of crucifixion. Surrounding Christ is the tetramorph with the figures of the four Evangelists with their attributes: left, top St. John and the eagle and below St. Luke with the ox; on the right above, St. Matthew on the hood of the tax collector and below St. Mark and the lion.[12]

On both sides of the evangelists, behind Mark and Luke, there are four angels on each side with the instruments of the Passion of Christ. Some are, without touching them directly, the cross and crown of thorns (left) and lance and four nails (right), another the column in which he was whipped and the jar through which Pontius Pilate proclaimed his innocence. Above the heads of these angels, two large groups of souls of the blessed, forty in all. In the archivolt of the central tympanum are seated the elders of the Apocalypse, each holding a musical instrument, as if preparing a concert in honor of God.[12]

 
Pantokrator's tympanum Pórtico da Gloria.

Mullion

 
Mullion with the figure of Santiago.

In the mullion, the figure of Saint James is seated with a pilgrim's staff, as a patron of the basilica. St. James appears with a scroll which contains written Misit me Dominus (the Lord sent me). The column just above his head with a capital which represents the temptations of Christ. On three of its sides, facing the inside of the temple, two kneeling angels pray. At the foot of the saint there is another capital with the figures of the Holy Trinity. Under the Apostle there is a representation of the tree of Jesse, the name given to the family tree of Jesus Christ from Jesse, father of King David; this is the first time that this subject is represented in religious iconography in the Iberian Peninsula. The column rests on a base where there is a figure with beard to his chest (perhaps an image of Noah) and two lions. At the foot of the central column at the top inside, looking towards the main altar of the cathedral, there is the kneeling figure of the Master Mateo himself, holding a sign on which is written Architectus. This image is popularly known as Santo dos Croques[13] from the ancient tradition of students hitting their heads against the figure for wisdom, a tradition that was adopted later by pilgrims, although steps are being taken to limit access, to stem deterioration from which the work has suffered.

Jambs

 
Apostles of the jambs of the Pórtico da Gloria.

In the columns of the central door and two side doors, the apostles are represented, as well as prophets and other figures with their iconographic attributes. All are topped with its own capital which represents different animals and human heads with leaf motifs. The names of all the figures are on the books or scrolls held in their hands.

The four pillars of the portico are based on strong foundations which represent various groups of animals and human heads with beards. For some historians, these figures are images of demons and symbolize the weight of glory (the portico in this case) crushing sin. Other sources give an apocalyptic interpretation, with wars, famine and death (represented by the beasts) with situations that can only be saved by human intelligence (the heads of older men).

Side doors

 
The archivolt of the right door is the Last Judgment.

The arch of the right door represents the Last Judgment. The double archivolt is divided into two equal parts by two heads. Some authors identify these heads with the figures of archangel Michael and Christ. For others, they are Christ-Judge and an angel or may indicate God the Father and God the Son. To the right of these heads, Hell is represented with figures of monsters (demons) that drag and torture the souls of the damned. On the left is Heaven with the elect, with figures of angels with children symbolizing the saved souls.[14][15]

The arch of the left door depicts scenes from the Old Testament, with the righteous awaiting the arrival of the Savior. In the center of the first archivolt is God the Creator who blesses the pilgrim and holds the Book of Eternal Truth; to his right are Adam (naked), Abraham (with the index raised), and Jacob. With them are two figures that could be Noah (new father of humanity saved through the Flood) and Esau or Isaac and Judah. To the left of God are Eve, Moses, Aaron, King David and Solomon. In the second archivolt, the top, ten small figures represent the twelve tribes of Israel.[12]

Façade of the Obradoiro

 
Night view of the façade of the Obradoiro.
 
Saint James dressed as a pilgrim on the façade

The Obradoiro square in front of the façade alludes to the workshop (obradoiro, in Galician) of stonemasons who worked on the square during the construction of the cathedral. In order to protect the Pórtico da Gloria from deterioration caused by weather, this façade and towers have had several reforms since the 16th century. In the 18th century it was decided to build the current Baroque façade, designed by Fernando de Casas Novoa. It has large glazed windows that illuminate the ancient Romanesque façade, located between the towers of the Bells and of the Ratchet. In the middle of the central body is St. James and one level below his two disciples Athanasius and Theodore, all dressed as pilgrims. In between, the urn (representing the found tomb) and the star (representing the lights Hermit Pelagius saw) between angels and clouds. The tower on the right depicts Mary Salome, mother of St. James, and the tower on the left depicts his father Zebedee. The balustrade on the left side depicts St. Susanna and St. John and the one on the right depicts St. Barbara and James the Less.[16]

A stair allows entrance to the façade. The stair was made in the 17th century by Ginés Martínez and it is of Renaissance style inspired by Giacomo Vignola of Palazzo Farnese. It is diamond-shaped with two ramps that surround the entrance to the old 12th century Romanesque crypt of the Master Mateo, popularly called the "Old Cathedral".[17]

Between the existing plane of the façade of the Obradoiro and the old Romanesque portal (Pórtico da Gloria) there is a covered narthex.

This façade has become a symbol of the cathedral and the city of Santiago de Compostela. As such, it is the engraving on the back of the Spanish euro coins of 1, 2 and 5 cents..

South façade or das Pratarías

 
The square of the Romanesque façade das Pratarías, this facade keep the trace of its second church, which was built between 1103 and 1117.

The façade of the Silverware (Pratarías in Galician) is the southern façade of the transept of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela; it is the only Romanesque façade that is preserved in the cathedral. It was built between 1103 and 1117 and elements from other parts of the cathedral have been added in subsequent years.[18] The square is bound by the cathedral and cloister on two sides. Next to the cathedral is the Casa do Cabido.

It has two entrance doors in degradation with archivolts and historical tympanums. The archivolts are attached over eleven columns, three are of white marble (middle and corners) and the rest of granite. In the center are the figures of twelve prophets and the Apostles on the sideline. On the tympanums is a large frieze separated from the upper body by a strip supported by grotesque corbels; on this floor are two windows decorated with Romanesque archivolts.[18]

In the central frieze is Christ, with various characters and scenes. On the right six figures belong to the choir of Master Mateo that were placed in the late 19th century. The original provision of the iconographic elements was invalidated since in the 18th century numerous images were introduced recovered from the dismantled Acibecharía facade.[19] A central medallion shows the Eternal Father (or Transfiguration) with open hands and on the top surface there are four angels with trumpets heralding the Final Judgment.[18]

In the tympanum of the left door is Christ tempted by a group of demons. To the right is a half-dressed woman with a skull in her hands, which could be Eve or the adulterous woman. This figure is not praying on her knees but is sitting on two lions. The jambs are Saint Andrew and Moses. In the left abutment, the Biblical King David seated on his throne with his legs crossed, translucent through the thin fabric of his clothes, and playing what appears to be a rebec, personifies the triumph over evil and is an outstanding Romanesque work, sculpted by Master Esteban. The creation of Adam and Christ's blessing is also shown. Many of these figures come from the Romanesque façade of the north or do Paraíso (current façade of the Acibecharía) and were placed on this façade in the 18th century.[18][20]

In the tympanum of the right door there are several scenes from the Passion of Christ and the Adoration of the Magi. In one of the jambs is the inscription commemorating the laying of the stone:

ERA / IC / XVI / V IDUS / JULLII

Registration follows the Roman calendar, according to the computation of the Spanish era, corresponding to July 11, 1078. An image, unidentified, of a fox eating a rabbit and, against this, a badly dressed woman with an animal in her lap. Supported on the wall of the tower Berenguela appear other images representing the creation of Eve, Christ on a throne, and the Binding of Isaac.[18]

North façade or da Acibecharía

 
Facade da Acibecharía.

The façade "da Acibecharía" (Galician name derived from the jet gemstone) is in the Praza da Inmaculada or Acibecharía, draining the last section of urban roads: French, Primitive, Northern and English through the old gate Franxígena or Paradise door. The Romanesque portal was built in 1122 by Bernardo, treasurer of the temple. This portal was demolished after suffering a fire in 1758; some sculptural pieces that were saved were placed on the façade das Pratarías. The new façade was designed in Baroque style by Lucas Ferro Caaveiro and finished by Domingo Lois Monteagudo and Clemente Fernández Sarela in the neoclassical style in 1769, although it retained some traces of the baroque.[21]

At the top of the façade is an 18th-century statue of St. James, with two kings in prayer at his feet: Alfonso III of Asturias and Ordoño II of León. In the centre is the statue of Faith.[22][23]

East façade or da Quintana

 
Porta Real

The façade of the cathedral that overlooks the Quintana Square has two gates: the Porta Real (royal gate) and the Porta Santa (holy gate). The construction of the Porta Real, baroque, was begun under the direction of José de Vega y Verdugo and by José de la Peña de Toro in 1666, and was completed by Domingo de Andrade in 1700, who built some of the columns that span two floors of windows, a balustrade with large pinnacles, and an aedicula with an equestrian statue of Saint James (now disappeared), well adorned with decorative fruit clusters and large-scale military trophies. The kings of Spain entered the cathedral through this door, hence its name, and the royal coat of arms on its lintel.[18][24]

The so-called Holy Door (Porta Santa) or Door of Forgiveness (Porta do Perdón) is the closest to the steps. It is usually closed with a fence and opened only in Jubilee Years (years when St James's Day, 25 July, falls on a Sunday). It was one of the seven lesser gates and was dedicated to St. Pelagius (whose monastery is just opposite). On this door niches contain the image of James, with his disciples Athanasius and Theodore at his side. On the bottom and sides of the door were placed twenty-four figures of prophets and apostles (including St. James) coming from the old stone choir of Master Mateo. Inside this door through a small courtyard is the true Holy Door, which enters into the ambulatory of the apse of the church.[18][25]

Bell Towers

 
Treasure tower

The early towers in the main façade of the cathedral were Romanesque (current façade of the Obradoiro). They are called the Torre das Campás, which is situated on the side of the Epistle (right) and Torre da Carraca, to the side of the Gospel (left). The two have a height of between 75 and 80 metres.[26]

The first part of the tower was built in the 12th century, but in the 15th century several modifications were made and King Louis XI of France donated in 1483 the two largest of the thirteen bells.[27]

Due to a tilt that was detected in its structure between the 16th and 17th centuries, the towers had to be reinforced with buttresses, between 1667 and 1670. The towers housing the bells were made by José de la Peña de Toro (1614–1676) in a baroque style, and completed by Domingo de Andrade. The architecture of the towers has a great effect in perspective with its vertical lines and the sequencing of its floors.[28][29]

North Tower or da Carraca

 
Tower da Carraca.

It is located to the left of the façade del Obradoiro, and was built – like its partner – on the opposite side of an earlier tower of the Romanesque period. It was designed by Fernando de Casas Novoa in 1738, imitating the bell towers by Peña de Toro and Domingo de Andrade in the 17th century: baroque decorations adorned all kinds of ornamentation that provided a unifying architecture across the façade.[28]

Clock Tower, Torre da Trindade or Berenguela

 
Clock Tower

The Clock Tower, also called Torre da Trindade or, Berenguela, is at the intersection of the Pratarías square and the Quintana square. Traditionally, construction was thought to begin in 1316, at the request of Archbishop Rodrigo de Padrón as a defence tower. After his death his successor, Archbishop Bérenger de Landore, continued work on it, though these dates are questioned by some authors.[27] When he became main master of the cathedral, Domingo de Andrade continued with its construction and between 1676 and 1680 raised it two floors higher; the use of various structures achieved a harmonious and ornamental design, with a pyramid-shaped crown and a lantern as a final element, with four light bulbs permanently lit. It rises to seventy-five metres.[29]

In 1833 a clock was placed on each side of the tower by Andrés Antelo, commissioned by the Archbishop Rafael de Vélez. As part of its mechanism it has two bells, one, at the hour, called Berenguela, and a smaller one marking the quarter hours. These two were cast in 1729 by Güemes Sampedro. Berenguela has a diameter of 255 cm and a height of 215 cm, weighing approximately 9,600 kilos, and the smaller weighs 1,839 kilos with diameter 147 cm and height 150 cm. Both original bells cracked, forcing their replacement. The current replicas were cast in Asten (Netherlands) by the Eijsbouts house in 1989 and were placed in the cathedral in February 1990.[30][31]

Interior

The cathedral is 97 m long and 22 m high. It preserves its original, barrel-vaulted, cruciform, Romanesque interior. It consists of a nave, two lateral aisles, a wide transept, and a choir with radiating chapels. Compared with many other important churches, the interior of this cathedral gives a first impression of austerity until one enters further and sees the magnificent organ and the exuberance of the choir. It is the largest Romanesque church in Spain and one of the largest in Europe.

The Pórtico da Gloria

 
Pórtico da Gloria

The 12th-century Portico da Gloria, behind the western façade, is in the narthex of the west portal. It is a remain from the Romanesque period, a masterwork of Romanesque sculpture built between 1168 and 1188 by Master Mateo at the request of king Ferdinand II of León. The vigorous naturalism of the figures in this triple portal is an expression of an art form, varied in its details, workmanship and polychromy (of which faint traces of colour remain). The shafts, tympana and archivolts of the three doorways which open onto the nave and the two aisles are a mass of strong and vibrant sculpture representing the Last Judgment.

The central tympanum gives an image of Christ in Majesty as Judge and Redeemer, showing His wounds in His feet and hands, accompanied by the tetramorph. He is surrounded on both sides by a retinue of angels carrying the symbols of the Passion. In the archivolt are represented the 24 Elders of the Apocalypse, who are playing musical instruments.

 
Elders playing organistrum (in the archivolt)

The column statues represent the apostles with their attribute, along with prophets and Old Testament figures with their name on a book or parchment. These were all polychromed. The faint smile of the prophet Daniel as he looks at the angel of Reims is especially noteworthy.

 
Saint James on the middle pier

The middle pier represents Saint James, his face conveying an ecstatic serenity. The text scroll in his hand shows the words Misit me Dominus (the Lord sent me). Below him is the Tree of Jesse (the lineage leading to Christ), while above is a representation of the Trinity. It is customary for the pilgrims to touch the left foot of this statue, signifying that they have reached their destination. So many pilgrims have laid their hands on the pillar to rest, that a groove has been worn in the stone.

The lateral portals are dedicated to the Jews on the left and to the unbelievers on the right.

The right tympanum is divided into three parts and is dedicated to the theme of salvation. In the centre are Christ and St Michael, flanked by Hell (represented by demons) and Heaven (represented by children). Purgatory is shown on the side. The left tympanum shows scenes from the Old Testament.

Demons are represented at the bottom of the pórtico, signifying that Glory crushes sin.

 
View of the altar.
 
Chapel of Salvador
 
Nave and choir.

Behind the portico stands the statue of Maestro Mateo, the master architect and sculptor put in charge of the cathedral building programme in the 12th century by Fernando II. It is said that whoever butts their head three times against the statue will be given a portion of Mateo's genius[32] and perhaps enhanced memory. There was formerly a long line of visitors waiting to touch their head against the statue, but it is now blocked off because an indentation started to develop from the repeated contact.

The sculptures in this portico were a reference point for Galician sculpture until the 15th century.

The nave

The barrel-vaulted nave and the groin-vaulted aisles consist of eleven bays, while the wide transept consists of six bays. Every clustered pier is flanked by semi-columns, three of which carry the cross vaults of the side aisles and the truss of the arched vaults, while the fourth reaches to the spring of the vault. Lit galleries run, at a remarkable height, above the side aisles around the church.

The choir is covered by three bays and surrounded with an ambulatory and five radiating chapels. The vault of the apse is pierced by round windows, forming a clerestory. The choir displays a surprising exuberance in this Romanesque setting. An enormous baldachin, with a sumptuous decorated statue of Saint James from the 13th century, rises above the main altar. The pilgrims can kiss the saint's mantle via a narrow passage behind the altar.

In the choir aisle the beautiful lattice work and the vault of the Mondragon chapel (1521) stand out. The radiating chapels constitute a museum of paintings, retables, reliquaries and sculptures, accumulated throughout the centuries. In the Chapel of the Reliquary (Galician: Capela do Relicario) is a gold crucifix, dated 874, containing an alleged piece of the True Cross.

Crypt

 
Reliquary in the cathedral crypt

The crypt, below the main altar, shows the substructure of the 9th-century church. This was the final destination of the pilgrims. The crypt houses the relics of Saint James and two of his disciples: Saint Theodorus and Saint Athanasius. The silver reliquary (by José Losada, 1886) was put in the crypt at the end of the 19th century, after authentication of the relics by Pope Leo XIII in 1884.

Throughout the course of time, the burial place of the saint had been almost forgotten. Because of regular Dutch and English incursions, the relics had been transferred in 1589 from their place under the main altar to a safer place. They were rediscovered in January 1879.[33][34]

Botafumeiro

 
The swinging Botafumeiro dispensing clouds of incense

A dome above the crossing contains the pulley mechanism to swing the "Botafumeiro", which is a famous thurible found in this church. It was created by the goldsmith José Losada in 1851. The Santiago de Compostela Botafumeiro is the largest censer in the world, weighing 80 kilograms (180 lb) and measuring 1.60 metres (5.2 ft) in height. It is normally on exhibition in the library of the cathedral, but during certain important religious holidays it is attached to the pulley mechanism, filled with 40 kilograms (88 lb) of charcoal and incense. In the Jubilee Years (whenever St James's Day falls on a Sunday) the Botafumeiro is also used in all the Pilgrims' Masses. Eight red-robed tiraboleiros pull the ropes and bring it into a swinging motion almost to the roof of the transept, reaching speeds of 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) and dispensing thick clouds of incense.[citation needed]

Other burials

Old images

See also

References

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  2. ^ "Catedral Igrexa Catedral Metropolitana". Patrimonio Historico – Base de datos de bienes inmuebles (in Spanish). Ministerio de Cultura. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
  3. ^ Orlandis, J. (1990). "Algunas consideraciones en torno a los orígenes cristianos en España". Cristianismo y aculturación en tiempos del imperio romano. Universidad de Murcia. pp. 63–71.
  4. ^ Lligadas, J. (2005). El libro de los santos. Centro De Pastoral Liturgic. ISBN 8498050413.
  5. ^ Portela Silva 2003: p. 54
  6. ^ Garrido Torres 2000: p. 100
  7. ^ Garrido Torres 2000: p. 101
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  15. ^ . Rincones de Santiago. Archived from the original on 2007-05-09. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  16. ^ "Fachada del workdoiro". Rincones de Santiago. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  17. ^ Bendala Galán, Manuel (2003). Manual del Arte Español. Madrid: Silex. pp. 542–543. ISBN 84-7737-099-0.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g Navascués 1997: p. 223
  19. ^ . Fundación Barrie. Archived from the original on 2009-01-07.
  20. ^ Yzquierdo Perrín, Ramón (1998). "Escenas de juglaría en el románico de Galicia". In García Guinea, Miguel Ángel (ed.). Vida cotidiana en la España medieval: Actas del VI Curso de Cultura Medieval, celebrado en Aguilar de Campóo (Palencia) del 26 al 30 de septiembre de 1994. Santa María la Real. pp. 133–134. ISBN 8486547466.
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  26. ^ "Catedral do Apóstolo Santiago – Santiago de Compostela (Galicia)". Inventario de las campanas de las Catedrales de España. Campaners de la Catedral de València. 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
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  28. ^ a b Navascués 1997: p. 226
  29. ^ a b "Santiago de Compostela. Catedral". Centro Virtual Cervantes. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  30. ^ Llop i Bayo, Francesc (2010). "La torre del reloj de la catedral". Campaners de la Catedral de València. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  31. ^ Pedrals, Joan (2010). "Les campanes originals del rellotge de la Catedral de Santiago de Compostela" (in Catalan). Campaners de la Catedral de València. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  32. ^ Lonely Planet: Spain. 4th Ed. 2003
  33. ^ Llorca Vives, B.; García Villoslada, R.; Montalbán, F. J. (1960). Historia de la Iglesia Católica en sus cuarto grandes edades: Edad antigua (1–681). Vol. 1 de Historia de la Iglesia Católica en sus cuarto grandes edades: Antigua, media, nueva, moderna. Editorial Católica. p. 142.
  34. ^ (PDF). Boletín Oficial del Arzobispado de Santiago (3594): 118–122. January 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-09-06.

Bibliography

  • Álvarez Martínez, Rosario (2002). "Music Iconography of Romanesque Sculpture in the Light of Sculptors' Work Procedures: The Jaca Cathedral, Las Platerías in Santiago de Compostela, and San Isidoro de León". Music in Art: International Journal for Music Iconography. 27 (1–2): 13–45. ISSN 1522-7464.
  • Bravo Lozano, Millán (1999). Camino de Santiago Inolvidable. León: Everest. ISBN 84-241-3905-4.
  • Carro Otero, Xosé (1997). Santiago de Compostela. publisher Everest. ISBN 84-241-3625-X.
  • Chamorro Lamas, Manuel; González, Victoriano; Regal, Bernardo (1997). Rutas románicas en Galicia/1. Ediciones Encuentro. ISBN 84-7490-411-0.
  • Fraguas Fraguas, Antonio (2004). Romerías y santuarios de Galicia. publisher Galaxia. p. 20. ISBN 978-84-8288-704-3.
  • Fuertes Domínguez, Gregorio (1969). Guía de Santiago, sus monumentos, su arte. Depósito Legal C. 325–1969. El Eco Franciscano.
  • García Iglesias, José Manuel (1993). A catedral de Santiago: A Idade Moderna (in Galician). Xuntanxa. ISBN 8486614694.
  • Garrido Torres, Carlos (2000). Las Guías visuales de España: Galicia. Depósito legal: B 18469. El País.
  • Gómez Moreno, María Elena (1947). Mil Joyas del Arte Español, Piezas selectas, Monumentos magistrales: Tomo primero Antigüedad y Edad Media. Barcelona: Instituto Gallach.
  • Navascués Palacio, Pedro; Sarthou Carreres, Carlos (1997). Catedrales de España. Edición especial para el Banco Bilbao Vizcaya. Madrid: Espasa Calpe. ISBN 84-239-7645-9. OCLC 249825366.
  • Otero Pedrayo, Ramón (1965). Guía de Galicia (4ª ed.). publisher Galaxia. pp. 351ff.
  • Portela Silva, E. (2003). Historia de la ciudad de Santiago de Compostela. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. ISBN 8497501373.
  • Sanmartín, Juan R. (1984). "O Botafumeiro: Parametric pumping in the Middle Ages". American Journal of Physics. 52 (10): 937–945. Bibcode:1984AmJPh..52..937S. doi:10.1119/1.13798.
  • Vaqueiro, Vítor (1998). Guía da Galiza máxica, mítica e lendaria (in Galician). Galaxia. ISBN 8482882058.
  • Vázquez Varela, J. M.; Yzquierdo Perrín, R.; García Iglesias, J. M.; Castro, A. (1996). 100 obras mestras da arte galega (in Galician). Nigra Arte. ISBN 84-87709-50-8.
  • Villa-Amil y Castro, José (1866). Descripción histórico-artístico-arqueológica de la catedral de Santiago. Impr. de Soto Freire.
  • Turner, Jane (1996). Grove Dictionary of Art. Macmillan Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-19-517068-7.

External links

  • Official website  
  • Reconstruction of the swinging motion of the Botafumeiro
  • Pictures of Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
  • HyperSculpture – Pórtico de la Gloria
  • The Art of medieval Spain, A.D. 500–1200, an exhibition catalog from The Metropolitan Museum of Art Libraries (fully available online as PDF), which contains material on Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (pp. 175–183)

santiago, compostela, cathedral, santiago, compostela, archcathedral, basilica, spanish, galician, catedral, basilica, santiago, compostela, part, metropolitan, archdiocese, santiago, compostela, integral, component, santiago, compostela, world, heritage, site. The Santiago de Compostela Archcathedral Basilica Spanish and Galician Catedral Basilica de Santiago de Compostela is part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela and is an integral component of the Santiago de Compostela World Heritage Site in Galicia Spain The cathedral is the reputed burial place of Saint James the Great one of the apostles of Jesus Christ It is also among the remaining churches in the world built over the tomb of an apostle the other ones being St Peter s Basilica in Vatican City St Thomas Cathedral Basilica Chennai in India and Basilica of St John in Izmir Turkey Metropolitan Archcathedral Basilica of Santiago de CompostelaThe western facade of the Metropolitan Archcathedral Basilica as seen from the Praza do Obradoiro ReligionAffiliationCatholicDistrictSantiago de CompostelaRiteRoman RiteLeadershipArchbishop Julian BarrioLocationLocationSantiago de Compostela Galicia SpainShown within SpainShow map of SpainSantiago de Compostela Cathedral Galicia Show map of GaliciaGeographic coordinates42 52 50 N 8 32 40 W 42 880602 N 8 544377 W 42 880602 8 544377 Coordinates 42 52 50 N 8 32 40 W 42 880602 N 8 544377 W 42 880602 8 544377ArchitectureTypeMetropolitan Archcathedral BasilicaStyleRomanesque Gothic BaroqueGroundbreaking1075Completed1211SpecificationsDirection of facadeWestCapacity1 200Length100 metres 330 ft Width70 metres 230 ft Height max 75 metres 246 ft Spire s 2UNESCO World Heritage SiteOfficial name Santiago de Compostela Old Town Criteriai ii viDesignated1985 1 Reference no 320bisSpanish Cultural HeritageOfficial name Catedral Igrexa Catedral MetropolitanaDesignated22 August 1896Reference no R I 51 0000072 00000 2 Websitewww catedraldesantiago esThe archcathedral basilica has historically been a place of pilgrimage on the Way of St James since the Early Middle Ages and marks the traditional end of the pilgrimage route The building is a Romanesque structure with later Gothic and Baroque additions Contents 1 History 2 Exterior of the cathedral 2 1 Portico da Gloria 2 1 1 Tympanum 2 1 2 Mullion 2 1 3 Jambs 2 1 4 Side doors 2 2 Facade of the Obradoiro 2 3 South facade or das Pratarias 2 4 North facade or da Acibecharia 2 5 East facade or da Quintana 2 6 Bell Towers 2 7 North Tower or da Carraca 2 8 Clock Tower Torre da Trindade or Berenguela 3 Interior 3 1 The Portico da Gloria 3 2 The nave 3 3 Crypt 3 4 Botafumeiro 4 Other burials 5 Old images 6 See also 7 References 8 Bibliography 9 External linksHistory EditAccording to the legend the apostle Saint James the Great brought Christianity to the Iberian Peninsula 3 4 According to legend this tomb was rediscovered in AD 814 by Pelagius the Hermit after he witnessed strange lights in the night sky Bishop Theodomirus of Iria recognized this as a miracle and informed king Alfonso II of Asturias and Galicia 791 842 The king ordered the construction of a chapel on the site Legend has it that the king was the first pilgrim to this shrine This was followed by the first church in AD 829 and then in AD 899 by a pre Romanesque church ordered by king Alfonso III of Leon 5 which caused the gradual development of this major place of pilgrimage 6 In 997 the early church was reduced to ashes by Al Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir 938 1002 army commander of the caliph of Cordoba St James tomb and relics were left undisturbed The gates and the bells carried by local Christian captives to Cordoba were added to the Aljama Mosque 7 When Cordoba was taken by king Ferdinand III of Castile in 1236 these same gates and bells were then transported by Muslim captives to Toledo to be inserted in the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo Construction of the present cathedral began in 1075 under the reign of Alfonso VI of Castile 1040 1109 and the patronage of bishop Diego Pelaez It was built according to the same plan as the monastic brick church of Saint Sernin in Toulouse probably the greatest Romanesque edifice in France It was built mostly in granite Construction was halted several times and according to the Liber Sancti Iacobi the last stone was laid in 1122 But by then the construction of the cathedral was certainly not finished The cathedral was consecrated in 1211 in the presence of king Alfonso IX of Leon 8 9 According to the Codex Calixtinus the architects were Bernard the elder a wonderful master his assistants Robertus Galperinus and later possibly Esteban master of the cathedral works In the last stage Bernard the younger was finishing the building while Galperinus was in charge of the coordination He also constructed a monumental fountain in front of the north portal in 1122 The city became an episcopal see in 1075 and the church its cathedral Due to its growing importance as a place of pilgrimage it was raised to an archiepiscopal see by pope Urban II in 1100 A university was added in 1495 It has been proposed that the peculiar lantern towers of several churches in the Duero valley Zamora Plasencia Toro Evora were inspired by the Romanesque dome of Santiago substituted by a Gothic one in the 15th century 10 The cathedral was expanded and embellished with additions in the 16th 17th and 18th centuries Exterior of the cathedral Edit Overview of the cathedral complex Each of the facades along with their adjoining squares constitute a large urban square The Baroque facade of the Praza do Obradoiro square was completed by Fernando de Casas Novoa in 1740 Also in baroque style is the Acibecharia facade by Ferro Caaveiro and Fernandez Sarela later modified by Ventura Rodriguez The Pratarias facade built by the Master Esteban in 1103 and most importantly the Portico da Gloria an early work of Romanesque sculpture were completed by Master Mateo in 1188 Portico da Gloria Edit Main article Portico of Glory The Portico da Gloria Portico of the Glory in Galician of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is a Romanesque portico by Master Mateo and his workshop commissioned by King Ferdinand II of Leon To commemorate its completion in 1188 the date was carved on a stone and set in the cathedral and the lintels were placed on the portico Finalising the complete three piece set took until 1211 when the temple was consecrated in the presence of King Alfonso IX of Leon 8 9 The portico has three round arches that correspond to the three naves of the church supported by thick piers with pilasters The central arch twice as wide as the other two has a tympanum and is divided by a central column a mullion containing a depiction of Saint James Vertically the lower part is formed by the bases of the columns decorated with fantastic animals the middle portion consists of columns adorned with statues of the Apostles and the upper part supports the base of the arches crowning the three doors The sculpture is intended to serve as an iconographic representation of various symbols derived from the Book of Revelation and books of the Old Testament 11 Tympanum Edit The arrangement of the tympanum is based on the description of Christ that John the Evangelist makes in Revelation Chapter 1 v 1 to 18 In the centre the Pantocrator is shown with the image of Christ in Majesty displaying in his hands and feet the wounds of crucifixion Surrounding Christ is the tetramorph with the figures of the four Evangelists with their attributes left top St John and the eagle and below St Luke with the ox on the right above St Matthew on the hood of the tax collector and below St Mark and the lion 12 On both sides of the evangelists behind Mark and Luke there are four angels on each side with the instruments of the Passion of Christ Some are without touching them directly the cross and crown of thorns left and lance and four nails right another the column in which he was whipped and the jar through which Pontius Pilate proclaimed his innocence Above the heads of these angels two large groups of souls of the blessed forty in all In the archivolt of the central tympanum are seated the elders of the Apocalypse each holding a musical instrument as if preparing a concert in honor of God 12 Pantokrator s tympanum Portico da Gloria Mullion Edit Mullion with the figure of Santiago In the mullion the figure of Saint James is seated with a pilgrim s staff as a patron of the basilica St James appears with a scroll which contains written Misit me Dominus the Lord sent me The column just above his head with a capital which represents the temptations of Christ On three of its sides facing the inside of the temple two kneeling angels pray At the foot of the saint there is another capital with the figures of the Holy Trinity Under the Apostle there is a representation of the tree of Jesse the name given to the family tree of Jesus Christ from Jesse father of King David this is the first time that this subject is represented in religious iconography in the Iberian Peninsula The column rests on a base where there is a figure with beard to his chest perhaps an image of Noah and two lions At the foot of the central column at the top inside looking towards the main altar of the cathedral there is the kneeling figure of the Master Mateo himself holding a sign on which is written Architectus This image is popularly known as Santo dos Croques 13 from the ancient tradition of students hitting their heads against the figure for wisdom a tradition that was adopted later by pilgrims although steps are being taken to limit access to stem deterioration from which the work has suffered Jambs Edit Apostles of the jambs of the Portico da Gloria In the columns of the central door and two side doors the apostles are represented as well as prophets and other figures with their iconographic attributes All are topped with its own capital which represents different animals and human heads with leaf motifs The names of all the figures are on the books or scrolls held in their hands The four pillars of the portico are based on strong foundations which represent various groups of animals and human heads with beards For some historians these figures are images of demons and symbolize the weight of glory the portico in this case crushing sin Other sources give an apocalyptic interpretation with wars famine and death represented by the beasts with situations that can only be saved by human intelligence the heads of older men Side doors Edit The archivolt of the right door is the Last Judgment The arch of the right door represents the Last Judgment The double archivolt is divided into two equal parts by two heads Some authors identify these heads with the figures of archangel Michael and Christ For others they are Christ Judge and an angel or may indicate God the Father and God the Son To the right of these heads Hell is represented with figures of monsters demons that drag and torture the souls of the damned On the left is Heaven with the elect with figures of angels with children symbolizing the saved souls 14 15 The arch of the left door depicts scenes from the Old Testament with the righteous awaiting the arrival of the Savior In the center of the first archivolt is God the Creator who blesses the pilgrim and holds the Book of Eternal Truth to his right are Adam naked Abraham with the index raised and Jacob With them are two figures that could be Noah new father of humanity saved through the Flood and Esau or Isaac and Judah To the left of God are Eve Moses Aaron King David and Solomon In the second archivolt the top ten small figures represent the twelve tribes of Israel 12 Facade of the Obradoiro Edit Night view of the facade of the Obradoiro Saint James dressed as a pilgrim on the facade The Obradoiro square in front of the facade alludes to the workshop obradoiro in Galician of stonemasons who worked on the square during the construction of the cathedral In order to protect the Portico da Gloria from deterioration caused by weather this facade and towers have had several reforms since the 16th century In the 18th century it was decided to build the current Baroque facade designed by Fernando de Casas Novoa It has large glazed windows that illuminate the ancient Romanesque facade located between the towers of the Bells and of the Ratchet In the middle of the central body is St James and one level below his two disciples Athanasius and Theodore all dressed as pilgrims In between the urn representing the found tomb and the star representing the lights Hermit Pelagius saw between angels and clouds The tower on the right depicts Mary Salome mother of St James and the tower on the left depicts his father Zebedee The balustrade on the left side depicts St Susanna and St John and the one on the right depicts St Barbara and James the Less 16 A stair allows entrance to the facade The stair was made in the 17th century by Gines Martinez and it is of Renaissance style inspired by Giacomo Vignola of Palazzo Farnese It is diamond shaped with two ramps that surround the entrance to the old 12th century Romanesque crypt of the Master Mateo popularly called the Old Cathedral 17 Between the existing plane of the facade of the Obradoiro and the old Romanesque portal Portico da Gloria there is a covered narthex This facade has become a symbol of the cathedral and the city of Santiago de Compostela As such it is the engraving on the back of the Spanish euro coins of 1 2 and 5 cents South facade or das Pratarias Edit The square of the Romanesque facade das Pratarias this facade keep the trace of its second church which was built between 1103 and 1117 The facade of the Silverware Pratarias in Galician is the southern facade of the transept of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela it is the only Romanesque facade that is preserved in the cathedral It was built between 1103 and 1117 and elements from other parts of the cathedral have been added in subsequent years 18 The square is bound by the cathedral and cloister on two sides Next to the cathedral is the Casa do Cabido It has two entrance doors in degradation with archivolts and historical tympanums The archivolts are attached over eleven columns three are of white marble middle and corners and the rest of granite In the center are the figures of twelve prophets and the Apostles on the sideline On the tympanums is a large frieze separated from the upper body by a strip supported by grotesque corbels on this floor are two windows decorated with Romanesque archivolts 18 In the central frieze is Christ with various characters and scenes On the right six figures belong to the choir of Master Mateo that were placed in the late 19th century The original provision of the iconographic elements was invalidated since in the 18th century numerous images were introduced recovered from the dismantled Acibecharia facade 19 A central medallion shows the Eternal Father or Transfiguration with open hands and on the top surface there are four angels with trumpets heralding the Final Judgment 18 In the tympanum of the left door is Christ tempted by a group of demons To the right is a half dressed woman with a skull in her hands which could be Eve or the adulterous woman This figure is not praying on her knees but is sitting on two lions The jambs are Saint Andrew and Moses In the left abutment the Biblical King David seated on his throne with his legs crossed translucent through the thin fabric of his clothes and playing what appears to be a rebec personifies the triumph over evil and is an outstanding Romanesque work sculpted by Master Esteban The creation of Adam and Christ s blessing is also shown Many of these figures come from the Romanesque facade of the north or do Paraiso current facade of the Acibecharia and were placed on this facade in the 18th century 18 20 In the tympanum of the right door there are several scenes from the Passion of Christ and the Adoration of the Magi In one of the jambs is the inscription commemorating the laying of the stone ERA IC XVI V IDUS JULLIIRegistration follows the Roman calendar according to the computation of the Spanish era corresponding to July 11 1078 An image unidentified of a fox eating a rabbit and against this a badly dressed woman with an animal in her lap Supported on the wall of the tower Berenguela appear other images representing the creation of Eve Christ on a throne and the Binding of Isaac 18 North facade or da Acibecharia Edit Facade da Acibecharia The facade da Acibecharia Galician name derived from the jet gemstone is in the Praza da Inmaculada or Acibecharia draining the last section of urban roads French Primitive Northern and English through the old gate Franxigena or Paradise door The Romanesque portal was built in 1122 by Bernardo treasurer of the temple This portal was demolished after suffering a fire in 1758 some sculptural pieces that were saved were placed on the facade das Pratarias The new facade was designed in Baroque style by Lucas Ferro Caaveiro and finished by Domingo Lois Monteagudo and Clemente Fernandez Sarela in the neoclassical style in 1769 although it retained some traces of the baroque 21 At the top of the facade is an 18th century statue of St James with two kings in prayer at his feet Alfonso III of Asturias and Ordono II of Leon In the centre is the statue of Faith 22 23 East facade or da Quintana Edit Porta Real The facade of the cathedral that overlooks the Quintana Square has two gates the Porta Real royal gate and the Porta Santa holy gate The construction of the Porta Real baroque was begun under the direction of Jose de Vega y Verdugo and by Jose de la Pena de Toro in 1666 and was completed by Domingo de Andrade in 1700 who built some of the columns that span two floors of windows a balustrade with large pinnacles and an aedicula with an equestrian statue of Saint James now disappeared well adorned with decorative fruit clusters and large scale military trophies The kings of Spain entered the cathedral through this door hence its name and the royal coat of arms on its lintel 18 24 The so called Holy Door Porta Santa or Door of Forgiveness Porta do Perdon is the closest to the steps It is usually closed with a fence and opened only in Jubilee Years years when St James s Day 25 July falls on a Sunday It was one of the seven lesser gates and was dedicated to St Pelagius whose monastery is just opposite On this door niches contain the image of James with his disciples Athanasius and Theodore at his side On the bottom and sides of the door were placed twenty four figures of prophets and apostles including St James coming from the old stone choir of Master Mateo Inside this door through a small courtyard is the true Holy Door which enters into the ambulatory of the apse of the church 18 25 Bell Towers Edit Treasure tower The early towers in the main facade of the cathedral were Romanesque current facade of the Obradoiro They are called the Torre das Campas which is situated on the side of the Epistle right and Torre da Carraca to the side of the Gospel left The two have a height of between 75 and 80 metres 26 The first part of the tower was built in the 12th century but in the 15th century several modifications were made and King Louis XI of France donated in 1483 the two largest of the thirteen bells 27 Due to a tilt that was detected in its structure between the 16th and 17th centuries the towers had to be reinforced with buttresses between 1667 and 1670 The towers housing the bells were made by Jose de la Pena de Toro 1614 1676 in a baroque style and completed by Domingo de Andrade The architecture of the towers has a great effect in perspective with its vertical lines and the sequencing of its floors 28 29 North Tower or da Carraca Edit Tower da Carraca It is located to the left of the facade del Obradoiro and was built like its partner on the opposite side of an earlier tower of the Romanesque period It was designed by Fernando de Casas Novoa in 1738 imitating the bell towers by Pena de Toro and Domingo de Andrade in the 17th century baroque decorations adorned all kinds of ornamentation that provided a unifying architecture across the facade 28 Clock Tower Torre da Trindade or Berenguela Edit Clock Tower The Clock Tower also called Torre da Trindade or Berenguela is at the intersection of the Pratarias square and the Quintana square Traditionally construction was thought to begin in 1316 at the request of Archbishop Rodrigo de Padron as a defence tower After his death his successor Archbishop Berenger de Landore continued work on it though these dates are questioned by some authors 27 When he became main master of the cathedral Domingo de Andrade continued with its construction and between 1676 and 1680 raised it two floors higher the use of various structures achieved a harmonious and ornamental design with a pyramid shaped crown and a lantern as a final element with four light bulbs permanently lit It rises to seventy five metres 29 In 1833 a clock was placed on each side of the tower by Andres Antelo commissioned by the Archbishop Rafael de Velez As part of its mechanism it has two bells one at the hour called Berenguela and a smaller one marking the quarter hours These two were cast in 1729 by Guemes Sampedro Berenguela has a diameter of 255 cm and a height of 215 cm weighing approximately 9 600 kilos and the smaller weighs 1 839 kilos with diameter 147 cm and height 150 cm Both original bells cracked forcing their replacement The current replicas were cast in Asten Netherlands by the Eijsbouts house in 1989 and were placed in the cathedral in February 1990 30 31 Interior EditThe cathedral is 97 m long and 22 m high It preserves its original barrel vaulted cruciform Romanesque interior It consists of a nave two lateral aisles a wide transept and a choir with radiating chapels Compared with many other important churches the interior of this cathedral gives a first impression of austerity until one enters further and sees the magnificent organ and the exuberance of the choir It is the largest Romanesque church in Spain and one of the largest in Europe The Portico da Gloria Edit Portico da Gloria The 12th century Portico da Gloria behind the western facade is in the narthex of the west portal It is a remain from the Romanesque period a masterwork of Romanesque sculpture built between 1168 and 1188 by Master Mateo at the request of king Ferdinand II of Leon The vigorous naturalism of the figures in this triple portal is an expression of an art form varied in its details workmanship and polychromy of which faint traces of colour remain The shafts tympana and archivolts of the three doorways which open onto the nave and the two aisles are a mass of strong and vibrant sculpture representing the Last Judgment The central tympanum gives an image of Christ in Majesty as Judge and Redeemer showing His wounds in His feet and hands accompanied by the tetramorph He is surrounded on both sides by a retinue of angels carrying the symbols of the Passion In the archivolt are represented the 24 Elders of the Apocalypse who are playing musical instruments Elders playing organistrum in the archivolt The column statues represent the apostles with their attribute along with prophets and Old Testament figures with their name on a book or parchment These were all polychromed The faint smile of the prophet Daniel as he looks at the angel of Reims is especially noteworthy Saint James on the middle pier The middle pier represents Saint James his face conveying an ecstatic serenity The text scroll in his hand shows the words Misit me Dominus the Lord sent me Below him is the Tree of Jesse the lineage leading to Christ while above is a representation of the Trinity It is customary for the pilgrims to touch the left foot of this statue signifying that they have reached their destination So many pilgrims have laid their hands on the pillar to rest that a groove has been worn in the stone The lateral portals are dedicated to the Jews on the left and to the unbelievers on the right The right tympanum is divided into three parts and is dedicated to the theme of salvation In the centre are Christ and St Michael flanked by Hell represented by demons and Heaven represented by children Purgatory is shown on the side The left tympanum shows scenes from the Old Testament Demons are represented at the bottom of the portico signifying that Glory crushes sin View of the altar Chapel of Salvador Nave and choir Behind the portico stands the statue of Maestro Mateo the master architect and sculptor put in charge of the cathedral building programme in the 12th century by Fernando II It is said that whoever butts their head three times against the statue will be given a portion of Mateo s genius 32 and perhaps enhanced memory There was formerly a long line of visitors waiting to touch their head against the statue but it is now blocked off because an indentation started to develop from the repeated contact The sculptures in this portico were a reference point for Galician sculpture until the 15th century The nave Edit The barrel vaulted nave and the groin vaulted aisles consist of eleven bays while the wide transept consists of six bays Every clustered pier is flanked by semi columns three of which carry the cross vaults of the side aisles and the truss of the arched vaults while the fourth reaches to the spring of the vault Lit galleries run at a remarkable height above the side aisles around the church The choir is covered by three bays and surrounded with an ambulatory and five radiating chapels The vault of the apse is pierced by round windows forming a clerestory The choir displays a surprising exuberance in this Romanesque setting An enormous baldachin with a sumptuous decorated statue of Saint James from the 13th century rises above the main altar The pilgrims can kiss the saint s mantle via a narrow passage behind the altar In the choir aisle the beautiful lattice work and the vault of the Mondragon chapel 1521 stand out The radiating chapels constitute a museum of paintings retables reliquaries and sculptures accumulated throughout the centuries In the Chapel of the Reliquary Galician Capela do Relicario is a gold crucifix dated 874 containing an alleged piece of the True Cross Crypt Edit Reliquary in the cathedral crypt The crypt below the main altar shows the substructure of the 9th century church This was the final destination of the pilgrims The crypt houses the relics of Saint James and two of his disciples Saint Theodorus and Saint Athanasius The silver reliquary by Jose Losada 1886 was put in the crypt at the end of the 19th century after authentication of the relics by Pope Leo XIII in 1884 Throughout the course of time the burial place of the saint had been almost forgotten Because of regular Dutch and English incursions the relics had been transferred in 1589 from their place under the main altar to a safer place They were rediscovered in January 1879 33 34 Botafumeiro Edit Main article Botafumeiro The swinging Botafumeiro dispensing clouds of incense A dome above the crossing contains the pulley mechanism to swing the Botafumeiro which is a famous thurible found in this church It was created by the goldsmith Jose Losada in 1851 The Santiago de Compostela Botafumeiro is the largest censer in the world weighing 80 kilograms 180 lb and measuring 1 60 metres 5 2 ft in height It is normally on exhibition in the library of the cathedral but during certain important religious holidays it is attached to the pulley mechanism filled with 40 kilograms 88 lb of charcoal and incense In the Jubilee Years whenever St James s Day falls on a Sunday the Botafumeiro is also used in all the Pilgrims Masses Eight red robed tiraboleiros pull the ropes and bring it into a swinging motion almost to the roof of the transept reaching speeds of 80 kilometres per hour 50 mph and dispensing thick clouds of incense citation needed Other burials EditAlfonso Daniel Rodriguez Castelao at the Panteon de Galegos Ilustres Pantheon of Illustrious Galicians Bonaval Fructuosus of Braga Rosalia de Castro Fernando Perez de Traba Ferdinand II of Leon Alfonso IX of Leon Pedro Fernandez de Castro Gaspar de Avalos de la CuevaOld images Edit Portico da Gloria in 1849 by Jenaro Perez Villaamil Portico da Gloria Collotype 1889 Westside main facade of the Cathedral towards Praza do Obradoiro Collotype 1889See also EditAsturian architecture Catholic Church in Spain Santiago de Compostela 12 Treasures of SpainReferences Edit Santiago de Compostela Old Town Whc unesco org Retrieved 2011 01 10 Catedral Igrexa Catedral Metropolitana Patrimonio Historico Base de datos de bienes inmuebles in Spanish Ministerio de Cultura Retrieved 9 January 2011 Orlandis J 1990 Algunas consideraciones en torno a los origenes cristianos en Espana Cristianismo y aculturacion en tiempos del imperio romano Universidad de Murcia pp 63 71 Lligadas J 2005 El libro de los santos Centro De Pastoral Liturgic ISBN 8498050413 Portela Silva 2003 p 54 Garrido Torres 2000 p 100 Garrido Torres 2000 p 101 a b Bravo Lozano 1999 p 235 a b Armesto V 1971 Galicia feudal 2ª ed Editorial Galaxia pp 188 287 Sadia Jose Maria 6 August 2022 El desconocido origen de los cimborrios romanicos apunta a Compostela ElDiario es in Spanish Retrieved 9 August 2022 Vazquez Yzquierdo Garcia Castro 1996 pp 76 77 a b c Portico de la Gloria y el Maestro Mateo Romanico en La Coruna Arteguias Retrieved 2010 10 17 El Maestro Mateo o el Santo dos Croques El camino de Santiago Centro virtual Cervantes Archived from the original on 2000 12 05 Retrieved 2010 10 17 La Catedral Metropolitana Portico de la Gloria Portal de la Archidiocesis de Santiago de Compostela Retrieved 2010 10 17 El Portico de la Gloria Alzado Rincones de Santiago Archived from the original on 2007 05 09 Retrieved 2010 10 17 Fachada del workdoiro Rincones de Santiago Retrieved 2010 10 17 Bendala Galan Manuel 2003 Manual del Arte Espanol Madrid Silex pp 542 543 ISBN 84 7737 099 0 a b c d e f g Navascues 1997 p 223 Fachada de Platerias Fundacion Barrie Archived from the original on 2009 01 07 Yzquierdo Perrin Ramon 1998 Escenas de juglaria en el romanico de Galicia In Garcia Guinea Miguel Angel ed Vida cotidiana en la Espana medieval Actas del VI Curso de Cultura Medieval celebrado en Aguilar de Campoo Palencia del 26 al 30 de septiembre de 1994 Santa Maria la Real pp 133 134 ISBN 8486547466 Belda Navarro Cristobal 1997 Los siglos del barroco Madrid Akal p 116 ISBN 84 460 0735 5 Exteriores fachadas e prazas Catedral Percorrido da Catedral in Galician Web oficial de turismo de Santiago de Compostela Retrieved 2010 10 18 Santiago de Compostela in Galician RuralPoint Turismo Rural Retrieved 2010 10 18 Vila Maria Dolores Vega y Verdugo y la introduccion del Barroco Artehistoria Revista Digital Junta de Castilla y Leon ISSN 1887 4398 Archived from the original on 6 February 2012 Retrieved 2010 10 19 Otero Pedrayo 1965 pp 405 406 Catedral do Apostolo Santiago Santiago de Compostela Galicia Inventario de las campanas de las Catedrales de Espana Campaners de la Catedral de Valencia 2010 Retrieved 2010 10 19 a b Vazquez Castro J 1998 La Berenguela y la Torre del Reloj de la Catedral de Santiago Semata Ciencias Socias e Humanidades Universidad de Santiago de Compostela 10 111 148 ISSN 1137 9669 a b Navascues 1997 p 226 a b Santiago de Compostela Catedral Centro Virtual Cervantes Retrieved 2010 10 19 Llop i Bayo Francesc 2010 La torre del reloj de la catedral Campaners de la Catedral de Valencia Retrieved 2010 10 20 Pedrals Joan 2010 Les campanes originals del rellotge de la Catedral de Santiago de Compostela in Catalan Campaners de la Catedral de Valencia Retrieved 2010 10 20 Lonely Planet Spain 4th Ed 2003 Llorca Vives B Garcia Villoslada R Montalban F J 1960 Historia de la Iglesia Catolica en sus cuarto grandes edades Edad antigua 1 681 Vol 1 de Historia de la Iglesia Catolica en sus cuarto grandes edades Antigua media nueva moderna Editorial Catolica p 142 Los anos santos compostelanos del siglo XX Cronica de un renacimiento PDF Boletin Oficial del Arzobispado de Santiago 3594 118 122 January 2005 Archived from the original PDF on 2011 09 06 Bibliography EditAlvarez Martinez Rosario 2002 Music Iconography of Romanesque Sculpture in the Light of Sculptors Work Procedures The Jaca Cathedral Las Platerias in Santiago de Compostela and San Isidoro de Leon Music in Art International Journal for Music Iconography 27 1 2 13 45 ISSN 1522 7464 Bravo Lozano Millan 1999 Camino de Santiago Inolvidable Leon Everest ISBN 84 241 3905 4 Carro Otero Xose 1997 Santiago de Compostela publisher Everest ISBN 84 241 3625 X Chamorro Lamas Manuel Gonzalez Victoriano Regal Bernardo 1997 Rutas romanicas en Galicia 1 Ediciones Encuentro ISBN 84 7490 411 0 Fraguas Fraguas Antonio 2004 Romerias y santuarios de Galicia publisher Galaxia p 20 ISBN 978 84 8288 704 3 Fuertes Dominguez Gregorio 1969 Guia de Santiago sus monumentos su arte Deposito Legal C 325 1969 El Eco Franciscano Garcia Iglesias Jose Manuel 1993 A catedral de Santiago A Idade Moderna in Galician Xuntanxa ISBN 8486614694 Garrido Torres Carlos 2000 Las Guias visuales de Espana Galicia Deposito legal B 18469 El Pais Gomez Moreno Maria Elena 1947 Mil Joyas del Arte Espanol Piezas selectas Monumentos magistrales Tomo primero Antiguedad y Edad Media Barcelona Instituto Gallach Navascues Palacio Pedro Sarthou Carreres Carlos 1997 Catedrales de Espana Edicion especial para el Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Madrid Espasa Calpe ISBN 84 239 7645 9 OCLC 249825366 Otero Pedrayo Ramon 1965 Guia de Galicia 4ª ed publisher Galaxia pp 351ff Portela Silva E 2003 Historia de la ciudad de Santiago de Compostela Universidad de Santiago de Compostela ISBN 8497501373 Sanmartin Juan R 1984 O Botafumeiro Parametric pumping in the Middle Ages American Journal of Physics 52 10 937 945 Bibcode 1984AmJPh 52 937S doi 10 1119 1 13798 Vaqueiro Vitor 1998 Guia da Galiza maxica mitica e lendaria in Galician Galaxia ISBN 8482882058 Vazquez Varela J M Yzquierdo Perrin R Garcia Iglesias J M Castro A 1996 100 obras mestras da arte galega in Galician Nigra Arte ISBN 84 87709 50 8 Villa Amil y Castro Jose 1866 Descripcion historico artistico arqueologica de la catedral de Santiago Impr de Soto Freire Turner Jane 1996 Grove Dictionary of Art Macmillan Publishers Ltd ISBN 0 19 517068 7 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela Official website Reconstruction of the swinging motion of the Botafumeiro Photographs of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela Galicia Spain Pictures of Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela HyperSculpture Portico de la Gloria The Art of medieval Spain A D 500 1200 an exhibition catalog from The Metropolitan Museum of Art Libraries fully available online as PDF which contains material on Santiago de Compostela Cathedral pp 175 183 Portals Architecture Catholicism Spain Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Santiago de Compostela Cathedral amp oldid 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