The Botafumeiro is perhaps one of the most famous and popular icons of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. The first known mention of the exceptional swinging censer is to be found in the Codex Calixtinus, written around the 15th century, in which we read the Botafumeiro was specially used in the great feasts of the liturgical calendar.

The Botafumeiro is handled by eight men (called “tiraboleiros”) through a pulley system that allows it to swing across the width of the transept of the cathedral, on the sides of the altar, reaching speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour. That’s exceptionally fast for an incense burner.

Thanks to PlanetDoc, we can now see the flight of the Botafumeiro from the point of view of the Compostelan censer itself. Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy this beautiful (yet dizzying) tour of the beloved Santiago cathedral.