So here we are in Santiago de Compostela last resting place of St James the Apostle. He is after all the reason why so many pilgrims have made the journey from all over Europe to this part of northern Spain. Is it really him in the silver casket behind the high altar of the cathedral? Well of course that is open to debate just as is the Turin Shroud and all the other relics around Europe. Really it's all about what you want to believe - does it really matter if it is him or not - if you believe it is then there is no reason why it shouldn't be.
I'm quite happy to go along with it.
Santiago therefore is all about it's cathedral. It is currently undergoing a huge restoration programme so that it can cope with the ever increasing number of pilgrims (and cruise ship visitors!) for many years to come, As you can see from the photos it's not currently open for services, so no chance to see the huge incense burner (the Botafumeiro) being swung from transept to transept. It takes 8 men to swing it on a pulley system and one of the theories as to it's origin is that the pilgrims arriving at the cathedral were a bit smelly and therefore more incense than usual was required!
Despite all the renovation work you can still go behind the high altar and see the silver casket that contains the saint's bones.
Elsewhere Santiago is a busy but lovely city to wander through, The granite paved streets are buzzing with pilgrims, tourists and yes cruise ship passengers bussed here from Vigo and A Coruna. The shops are mainly tourist related selling the usual souvenirs - but if you have just walked over 200km to get here, why shouldn't you treat yourself to a Camino t-shirt!
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