Botafumeiro stilled

[Rosina Lila]

Hola,
The Botafumeiro that had been flying away twice daily, for the two Pilgrims´ Masses, at noon and six p.m., was taken out of commission yesterday owing to a serious wearing out of the ropes that suspend it to the pulleys at the roof of the Cathedral´s nave.
The ropes, recently inspected, were put into service in 1998 to substitute those that had been used for twenty years to hold and haul the 6 ft. 186 pounds Botafumeiro.
The powers that be at the Cathedral have informed that they do not know when the Botafumeiro will be used again. A new set of ropes, supported by steel strands, has been ordered.

The rather rapid deterioration of the ropes has been attributed to the fact that they were thicker than the previous ones and, consequently, suffered more injurious rubbing when in contact with the pulleys, etc. The chief¨"tiraboleiro", Armando Raposo, has gone to Vigo tu supervise the making of the new set of ropes so that they will conform to the measurements of those that lasted twenty years.

There have been some accidents with the Botafumeiro, most notably its flying off the Cathedral through the Platerias high window on the occassion of Princess Katherine of Oregon visit to the Cathedral, as she was on her way to marry the heir to the English throne at the end of the fifteenth century.  None of the accidents resulted in serious injuries to anyone.

When flying, the Botafumeiro reaches speeds of 70 kms. per hour, and heights of 25 meters; its arc is 65 meters.  Each time that the Botafumeiro is brought out it costs the Cathedral about 250 euros.

Nevertheless, it continues to be a great attraction to one and all and an unforgettable experienco to all who have seen it in motion.

Here´s hoping that it will soon return to delight all of us.

Warm regards,

Rosina