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France/Spain 2011
Day 12 - 28th March - Santiago Cathedral (Part 3)
After the cathedral museum, I entered the cathedral proper.
I was going to visit the roof, which was recommended by a guide book. At first I was tricked by a sign - it said "16-20" (post-siesta opening hours). The rope across what I took to be the entrance door (the entrance was actually to the side) and the people coming away disappointed also aided in misleading me, so I read it to mean "closing at 16:20". In any event this was not an issue since tours were booked for the rest of the day (Monday), as well as the next, and the next opening was on Wednesday at 4pm. Anyhow from photos it looks quite nice.
Gazing up at the cathedral front. The facade is Hindu-ish.
Nave
The interior was surprisingly plain - and they didn't have the French Revolution, the Reformation, the Italian Wars or the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Pillar
Pillar in context
The pillars and nave are Baroque, but the inside is Romanesque.
There were also the relics of St James. Signs reminded one not to take photos and hold up traffic so I waited till it was empty.
SMS a candle opposite relics
Chapel
A door
Closer view of door
Some other chapel
Back view of altar
This is probably the Virgin flanked by saints. At first I thought she was stepping on Moors' heads, but they look too angelic.
Another chapel
Tomb, side
More detail of tomb
Entrance to a chapel
Chapel interior
Plan of chapel
Altar
Altar
Closeup
Side of nave
Side of nave
Nave
Side portal
One woman was taking confession while kneeling, with the door open and looking at the priest. Perhaps she didn't value her privacy.
No candles in the church.
No photos also but everyone was merrily snapping away and no one was saying anything. One woman crossed herself with one hand - and a camera in the other. So if it was alright for the devout...
Doors and explanatory plaques for carvings. One of the plaques is for the door earlier (with the caption "Closer view of door")
Nave again
I think this was my first time seeing a chandelier in a cathedral.
Organs. Not one but two.
Quite what St James is doing is hidden by the flowers, but a closer look reveals that he is... killing Moors (the turbaned ones are especially hidden - the most visible victim is perhaps a traitor). Notice that SMS-a-candle is at the side.
Chapel
Icon detail
Souvenir coins were 3€ for 1. I put in 3€ and 2 came out. I would've kept both but my coin fell into some stuff so one staff member came by to help (and take the other coin).