Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

Burning your clothes: the final ritual for pilgrims arriving in Compostela

During the middle ages, the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela did not finish with the arrival at the cathedral. After going to confession, attending mass, and greeting the apostle, medieval pilgrims had to climb up to the roof of the church. There, they burned the clothes used during their journey and put on new ones, implying a public act of conversion.

The ritual of burning the clothes was performed not just anywhere on the stone roof, but in front of an iron cross known as the Cruz dos Farrapos –Galician for “the rags’ cross”. This cross, although popular, is not easily visible from outside the cathedral. In fact, it and can only be seen from certain specific points. During guided tours of the roofs, visitors can learn about its origin, significance, and use in medieval times.

Cathedral of Santiago of Compostela

Now, the burning of the clothes also had a very practical dimension. It was not only a matter of symbolic cleansing. Chances are this ritual originated as a straightforward sanitary measure. To prevent the spread of diseases, eliminating probably contaminated clothing was a safe way to go.

 

This kind of sanitary measures also included the use of the Botafumeiro –the famous cathedral’s large incense burner. In the Middle Ages, pilgrims used to sleep in the triforium of the Cathedral –an interior gallery, inside the cathedral, on an upper level. As pilgrims arrived in flocks after an intense, tiring journey, the need to disinfect the cathedral became more and more obvious. The Botafumeiro, with its intense aroma of burnt incense, was an effective solution to make the air within the church more breathable –and pleasant.

Although the tradition of burning one’s clothes has not survived to the present day, the roofs of the cathedral are still worth a visit. Instead of burning clothes, modern pilgrims have the opportunity to enjoy a unique view of Santiago de Compostela from the heights of the legendary cathedral –an experience that complements their journey, allowing them to meditate on the meaning of this ancient tradition.

Imagen de StockSnap en Pixabay

 

This post is also available in: Español Italiano

Leave a Comment