The Botafumeiro

Here is a quick video of the Botafumeiro swinging in Compostella last year as promised in the sermon this morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Qiv3F3bv4&feature=related

Commentary is a bit intrusive. Watch out for the brilliant catch and swirl movement by the chief tiraboleiro as it is brought to rest at the end.

There is a simulation of how it works here, which I’ve a feeling I posted once before.

Comments

12 responses to “The Botafumeiro”

  1. RevRuth Avatar

    Oh bless you for a wonderful start to the day. And I have the ear-rings to match. I shall wear them today.

  2. Moyra Avatar
    Moyra

    The catch and swirl is magnificent.

    And I love the un-swirl so the chains don’t get tangled. too.

  3. chris Avatar

    There’s a chap (in white) flapping madly throughout the final stages – is he swinging another thurible, or has a spark ignited his alb? I feel sure you will know …
    😉

  4. PamB Avatar
    PamB

    1) Health and safety!!
    2) Would you let our Sacristan loose on this?
    3) Or our Trebles??
    4) Why is Vladimir Putin moonlighting as a Tiraboleiro?
    5) And looking so smug about it?
    6) When can we install ours?

    1. kelvin Avatar

      1) Health and safety: accidents are documented on the wikipedia page
      2) Sacristans would need extensive training.
      3) I would not let the Trebles ride on it. I presume the flying Bot Cam is fitted so as not to require small people holding on and flying up to the roof.
      4) I quite like the idea of Putin so moonlighting, actually. It might make me think better of him.
      5) Wouldn’t you look that smug?
      6) How long O Lord, how long?

  5. Stewart Avatar

    Pam has covered most of the items that come to my mind.

    St Mary’s has a series of pulleys down the nave which I am sure you can make use of.

    Do like the on board cam. Did I see flames inside the Botafumeiro?

  6. agatha Avatar
    agatha

    I went on a ride a bit like that at Alton Towers. I hadn’t thought of it as a religious experience. I don’t think this is either though.

  7. Sue Avatar

    Never mind the sacristan or the trebles – I’d be very happy to try it out! (Mind you, that’s possibly an even scarier thought than either of the other two…)

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