The Cathedral to ban backpacks/walking poles etc

[sillydoll]

The Cathedral mimics the Alhambra and will deny access to people with backpacks and walking sticks as these hinder the flow of people and can cause damage in the cathedral.

Neither the Cordoba mosque or cathedral of Burgos, permit entry of bulky items. The Basilica of Santiago has decided to follow in their footstep . Although its implementation has been delayed it is one of the measures contained in the Safety and Conservation Plan of the temple that has been developing for months.
However, tjhey will wait for the season to end and thus have scope to experiment, to detect possible difficulties and correct them if necessary. Universal pilgrimage shrine, the new rules will force set up four hits: Obradoiro Acibechería, Praterías and Real Porch (actual entrance to the store). The Holy Door is only used in Holy Years. In the opinion of experts, the presence of bulky items interfere with the movements of people inside the Cathedral. This is something considered to be a great danger in case of alarm or evacuation, especially in the summer months when the number of visitors soars. "There is evidence that damage is caused as columns are used to support a backpack which can cause wear that can occur gradually in stone as moisture can contain the objects themselves.
LUGGAGE
A few meters from the cathedral, in the Pilgrim Office, visitors are offered luggage storage also outsourced months ago by the Cathedral Foundation. To leave the pack a day costs two euros. The company offers laundry, baby buggy hire, quads or wheelchair for people with difficulty walking around the city. Your package is completed by sending the packages so the rest of Spain and abroad.

http://www.elcorreogallego.es/santi...baston/idEdicion-2013-11-19/idNoticia-837939/

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Oh, for heaven's sake!
There is also evidence that damage is caused by PILGRIMS walking over the floors, which wear them out. There should be regulations that insist pilgrims just swing on ropes above the floors, to avoid damage to the ancient holy surfaces .....
Sometimes I think the world is going bonkers - and I'm not sorry to be on my final path of life
Buen camino!

 

[Annie Little]

Ohh well really it is fair enough… they are trying to preserve…. and yes those "drunken Pilgrims" … cant wait to be one o them … you have to admit YOU guys do make a lot of damage ( I am not one YET so I do not include myself .. next year ) ….

Seriously though it is fair enough…. creates a job for someone….. can hire a backpack/ walking pole holder at the door….

Annie

 

[jl]

Sometimes I think the world is going bonkers

Ues - at times I am inclined to agree.

There is also evidence that damage is caused by PILGRIMS walking over the floors, which wear them out.

In the Duomo in Siena, Italy - they have stopped pilgrims / people walking on the floors. They have roped off some of the beautiful marbly frescoes so that one can see them, and the the rest of the floor is covered with, from memory, plywood. No fear of the frescoes beneath wearing out!

With numbers increasing in all the tourist places, and we must remember that the Cathedral in SdC is a tourist place as well as a pilgrim destination. Throughout the world the authorities have a hard job balancing conservation / restoration / access to the hundreds of thousands eager to see these ancient monuments. Janet

 

[Annie Little]

A very nice revenue stream , charging to leave your bag, then long queue to retrieve it.but I don't think backpacks should be allowed in cathedral . Lot of pilgrims don't walk on floor, they walk on the seats, better for photographs.

I think pilgrims … walk on "clouds" … at least that is what I am expecting ….

 

[piogaw]

i would like to play the devil's advocate. is the banning of the backpacks/walking poles has anything to do with accommodating the increasing numbers of tourist visiting the cathedral? as everyone knows, the capacity of the cathedral is, if i am not mistaken, 1000 person. and also the midday mass is dedicated to the pilgrims who walked, bicycled, etc. this is evidenced by the announcement of welcome at the beginning of the mass. of course, everyone who visited the cathedral and pray at the tomb of saint james is a pilgrim in the technical sense.

i hope the question is not controversial for the moderator to remove it from the forum.

buen camino to all the peregrinos. que tengan un buen dia y que dios os bendiga.

 

[MendiWalker]

I´ll take it a step even further........... has the banning of backpacks & poles have anything to do with that storage place which opened up in the Holy Year ( if I´m not mistaken and has recently moved down the street from the Peregrino Office and which charges abusive prices ( IMHO).

Ondo Ibili !

 

[dougfitz]

i would like to play the devil's advocate. is the banning of the backpacks/walking poles has anything to do with accommodating the increasing numbers of tourist visiting the cathedral?

Well, unless there is a forum member who is also part of the cathedral administration, and in a position to share their insights about why the decision has been made, any answer will be mere speculation. With that will come the prospect of generating more heat than light.

It would surprise me less that in contracting out the baggage storage facility, there was an agreement that the commercial success of the contractor was enhanced by ensuring that pilgrims couldn't leave their packs in the cathedral. Could I prove that? No. But it sounds good.

 

[thehappyhermit]

I thought that there was a similar thread to this which says that this is a security issue. Sad if so, but a fact of modern life. If I am right it also said that packs being left are scanned before being accepted into storage. I didn't think 2€ was unreasonable, but would probably simply find accomodation before going to the Cathedral if it isn't 'first port of call' anyway. Presumably access to the Pilgrims' Office still allows pilgrims to seek their Compostelas before leaving their packs.

 

[Adrian961]

I'm happy to pay a couple of € for storage so that I can visit a cathedral without lugging a wardrobe on my back. Conservation and upkeep of these places is hugely expensive so it's fair enough in my view. It may also make it a better experience for all visitors. Tourists moan about entry charges at Canterbury without giving any thought to the cost of repair as if it it's their right to spend £20 on a meal in the city but contribute nothing to the upkeep of the iconic holy place that attracted them to the city in the first place.....I was once in a queue at the checkout at Tesco in Canterbury behind the Archbishop himself, who bought a cheap sandwich.... Egg mayo, since you ask...

 

[piogaw]

The Cathedral mimics the Alhambra and will deny access to people with backpacks and walking sticks as these hinder the flow of people and can cause damage in the cathedral.

Neither the Cordoba mosque or cathedral of Burgos, permit entry of bulky items. The Basilica of Santiago has decided to follow in their footstep . Although its implementation has been delayed it is one of the measures contained in the Safety and Conservation Plan of the temple that has been developing for months.
However, tjhey will wait for the season to end and thus have scope to experiment, to detect possible difficulties and correct them if necessary. Universal pilgrimage shrine, the new rules will force set up four hits: Obradoiro Acibechería, Praterías and Real Porch (actual entrance to the store). The Holy Door is only used in Holy Years. In the opinion of experts, the presence of bulky items interfere with the movements of people inside the Cathedral. This is something considered to be a great danger in case of alarm or evacuation, especially in the summer months when the number of visitors soars. "There is evidence that damage is caused as columns are used to support a backpack which can cause wear that can occur gradually in stone as moisture can contain the objects themselves.
LUGGAGE
A few meters from the cathedral, in the Pilgrim Office, visitors are offered luggage storage also outsourced months ago by the Cathedral Foundation. To leave the pack a day costs two euros. The company offers laundry, baby buggy hire, quads or wheelchair for people with difficulty walking around the city. Your package is completed by sending the packages so the rest of Spain and abroad.

http://www.elcorreogallego.es/santi...baston/idEdicion-2013-11-19/idNoticia-837939/

hello sillydoll.

if we are to worry about the damage to the cathedral, why not just shut down the cathedral entirely? this will probably inconvenienced more the tour group tourists and also the cruise ship tourists whose ships berth at vigo and a coruna more than the pilgrims. then what would happen to santiago as a holy place?

on the subject of storage, i beg to correct you that you will also have to pay for the walking poles as separate units. i am making it clear that there is extra cost to store the walking poles, not argueing about the price of storage.

 

[Chacharm]

What is the big deal? Go stow your pack and visit the Cathedral. It is a beautiful place that is the NUMBER ONE source of revenue for Santiago and every town on a path into Santiago - and they want to protect it? They want to make sure it is in good shape for generations of peregrinos to come? They want to save the hundreds of thousands of Euros it costs to repair damage to the place - and peregrinos are complaining?
If carrying your backpack into the Cathedral is more important to you than the Cathedral itself then you need to re-examine your priorities. For myself - I want to see world treasures preserved and protected. I want my great grandchildren to be able to walk into Santiago and experience the Cathedral as I did - not visit its ruins.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I think it's fine.
It would be nice to visit without having to lug the pack around and 2 euros is a fair price. ::shrug::

 

[dougfitz]

hello sillydoll. ... on the subject of storage, i beg to correct you that you will also have to pay for the walking poles as separate units. i am making it clear that there is extra cost to store the walking poles, not argueing about the price of storage.

To be fair, it was the Correa Gallego article that did not make this clear, not Sillydoll. That piece read very much like a press release from the Cathedral rather than an independently researched article. If it was independently written, it presented only one side of the issue, and did nothing to seek alternative or dissenting views of the changes.

When I reached Santiago in 2010, it appears an earlier version of this ban was in place, and I faced the inconvenience of finding a place to leave my backpack and poles before being allowed into the cathedral. I chose to find accommodation in one of the nearby hotels, but I can imagine someone staying further away would find themselves relying on a left baggage service such as this new one near the cathedral.

As someone has said earlier, knowing that one cannot take one's pack into the cathedral merely alters the order of things to do on arrival in Santiago. It does not seem like a big issue to me that the cathedral has contracted this out. It is far more flexible to have this service separate from the actual cathedral compared, say, to a cloak room service just for visiting the cathedral itself.

 

[piogaw]

firstly i want to apologize for asking the following questions. i want to emphasize these questions are not intended to be provocative. it is just i am very confused. as a peregrino on the camino to santiago and as a christian, i have concerned for all future peregrinos. these, i believe, are questions no one dare to ask. also i want to reiterate what i have seen during my long stay in santiago. i would also asked for feedback from long termed residents like johnnie walker and ivar to clarify and give me feedback, and also feedback from experienced, veteran peregrinos. of course these are my own personal observations.

first, what is the real reason for the banning of backpacks and walking poles? security concerns has been mentioned. and now environmental and structural damages to the cathedral has been mentioned. please forgive my ignorance. for the security concerns: it has been 10 years since 9/11, why implement the measures now? what next, airport style scan and body search for all peregrenos, tourists, churchgoers who enter the cathedral? are we entering a big brother era with surveillance measures? remember, this is a holy place.

as for the environmental and structural damages to the cathedral issue: more damages to the cathedral has been done by automotive pollution and climate change to the facade of the cathedral. why not banned cars from the immediate areas of the cathedral, this might not stop the damages, but at least it will reduce the damage.

another question to my personal notice, are the peregrinos who walked, cycled, etc. are being edged out of the cathedral in favour of the well-heeled tourists during the midday mass dedicated to the peregrinos? from what i know, there are roughly 250,000 peregrinos a year who visited santiago. however, there are much more tourists who visited santiago. the spending power of the tourist compared to the peregrino in terms of monetary value is 10 to 1. is it because these tourists have more money to spend? santiago becomes what it is because of the pilgrimage to santiago, not because of the tourists. it is time someone speak up for the peregrinos.

i have also noticed during the midday pilgrim mass, peregrinos are treated differently by the usher and security staff inside the cathedral. this beg the question of are rules and regulations being uniformly enforced? if not, who gives the order for this unequal treatment, certainly it is not in the rules and regulations. i will give a few specific examples, especially when the cruise ships are in port. peregrinos standing in the side aisles are always asked or moved so as not to block the movement of others. but many times i noticed the cruise ship tourists with id tags on their front shirts or blouses are not asked to move. also when these tourists start to take photos during the mass and the botofumeiro ceremony, they are not normally asked to stop taking photos. but the poor peregrinos beside them or closed to them were asked to cease taking photos. i want to emphasize that these are personal observations during the more than 20 times i attended the midday mass. your experience maybe different from mine. once again i apologize for asking these questions.

que tengan un buen camino y un buen dia y que dios os bendiga.

 

[colinPeter]

I must admit on my 2 casinos (2009, 2012) I never noticed any discrimination between those in attendance.
Having visited with & without backpack, there never seems to be a problem.
But maybe things have changed in the last year.
I think it also a little difficult to declare who is & who isn't a pilgrim. Like others, I've seen the groups from the ships, but most of them seemed quite excited about their own pilgrimage.
As to correctly determining the motivation, as long as it's in the interest of all pilgrims, I think it's fine, even if I'd prefer it another way.
Buen Camino
Colin

 

[NicoZ]

first, what is the real reason for the banning of backpacks and walking poles? security concerns has been mentioned. and now environmental and structural damages to the cathedral has been mentioned. please forgive my ignorance. for the security concerns: it has been 10 years since 9/11, why implement the measures now? what next, airport style scan and body search for all peregrenos, tourists, churchgoers who enter the cathedral? are we entering a big brother era with surveillance measures? remember, this is a holy place.
.

If you think security is only related to terrorism then remember Spain has had terrorist attacks after 9/11.

Almost all tourist sites have security issues. People stealing things. I don't mean the obvious things but in some places you'll see people showing up with hammers to break off pieces of statues.

You need to avoid stampedes if something happens. A crowd of people with backpacks it going to be more of a problem.

You have the simple room issue. If you can fit 1000 people in a place without a pack that doesn't mean 1000 people with packs fit.

Some one else mentioned closing the place. It wouldn't be the first historic place closed to visitors because of the damaged caused by visitors.

One of the problems with reports like this is the English language reports can be badly translated. It would be better if somebody could find a native language report.

 

[Cejanus]

Ah gee lets just ban parents with prams and pushers, oldies who have to use a walking stick and anyone on crutches and of course anyone who dares to have a large handbag. Tis almost the season to be jolly once again.

 

[LTfit]

Maybe it's me but I do not see the big deal. Check in your pack and poles, pay the 2 euros (that's less than a price of a cappuccino where I live) and enjoy the service with your fellow pilgrims. Everyone will be more comfortable without. I certainly did not feel like I was treated as a second class pilgrim. Just because we walked/ran/cycled, etc. does not give us special priviledges over others.

 

[piogaw]

Maybe it's me but I do not see the big deal. Check in your pack and poles, pay the 2 euros (that's less than a price of a cappuccino where I live) and enjoy the service with your fellow pilgrims. Everyone will be more comfortable without. I certainly did not feel like I was treated as a second class pilgrim. Just because we walked/ran/cycled, etc. does not give us special priviledges over others.

Ltfit,

Please read my post again. Nobody is complaining about what you have to pay for storage of backpack. Nobody is asking for special priviledges. The question i am posing is whether the cathedral authority has a new agenda in favour of the well-heeled tourists as compare to the poor peregrinos. Money does talk.

Que tengas un buen dia.

 

[piogaw]

I must admit on my 2 casinos (2009, 2012) I never noticed any discrimination between those in attendance.
Having visited with & without backpack, there never seems to be a problem.
But maybe things have changed in the last year.
I think it also a little difficult to declare who is & who isn't a pilgrim. Like others, I've seen the groups from the ships, but most of them seemed quite excited about their own pilgrimage.
As to correctly determining the motivation, as long as it's in the interest of all pilgrims, I think it's fine, even if I'd prefer it another way.
Buen Camino
Colin

Hello colin,

Yes, things have change this year on many rules and regulations. I am only pointing out what is going on and asking for clarification as i am not a member of the church authority but just a simple peregrino like you and i. I saw these changes gradually being introduced this year from june to september. Of course these occurences are what i saw whether it is right or wrong.

Buen camino.

 

[piogaw]

If you think security is only related to terrorism then remember Spain has had terrorist attacks after 9/11.

Almost all tourist sites have security issues. People stealing things. I don't mean the obvious things but in some places you'll see people showing up with hammers to break off pieces of statues.

You need to avoid stampedes if something happens. A crowd of people with backpacks it going to be more of a problem.

You have the simple room issue. If you can fit 1000 people in a place without a pack that doesn't mean 1000 people with packs fit.

Some one else mentioned closing the place. It wouldn't be the first historic place closed to visitors because of the damaged caused by visitors.

One of the problems with reports like this is the English language reports can be badly translated. It would be better if somebody could find a native language report.

Hello nicoz,

The atocha bombings and two smaller stations in madrid happened in july of 2004. So why waited until now to implement these security measures. You would have thought at the height of the security alert at that time, new security measures would have been put in place. I am not questioning the security measures. As it was also mentioned that the many peregrinos walked in with backpacks and walking poles could caused structural damages to the cathedral, i am just wandering what exactly is the reason. Of course you can formed your own opinion.

Don't worry about the english language reports, i do read, speak and understand spanish, the language of cervantes.

Buen camino.

 

[NicoZ]

But this whole thread is based on the English language reports. If you could post a link to a local report that would be great. Things do get lost in translation.

 

[NicoZ]

The link in the first post isn't working for me at the moment

 

[piogaw]

But this whole thread is based on the English language reports. If you could post a link to a local report that would be great. Things do get lost in translation.

http://elcorreogallego.es/santi...baston/idEdicion-2013-11-19/idNoticia-837939/

 

[ivar]

I think with the number of pilgrims that are in the cathedral on a summer day, it is normal that something is done with the backpacks for security reasons. If something very bad were to happen in the cathedral, people would say "Whay was nothing done?".

So once that decision was made, the infrastructure of storing bags/packs needed to be in place. I don't know, but I am sure the new place that offer short term storage next to the pilgrims office knew about this decision before they opened. And once this new rule is in operation, I am sure that more places will pop-up with similar services. By the way, my luggage storage facility is for more long term storage.

I see nothing dramatic about this, the camino is growing, we have more people in Santiago.. and we need to take care of security.

Buen Camino!
Ivar

 

[dougfitz]

The question i am posing is whether the cathedral authority has a new agenda in favour of the well-heeled tourists as compare to the poor peregrinos. Money does talk.

This makes it sound like you are suggesting that the cathedral authorities are somehow being paid off. Is that really what you think? If not, why do you keep raising questions here that really can only be answered by the cathedral authorities and not by the vast majority of forum members?

As I see it, they have made a decision based on their 'Safety and Conservation Plan', have also made sure suitable arrangements are in place relatively close by to allow pilgrims to store their pack and poles, and can now feel confident that they can move to decline entry to people carrying bulky items. I don't see it as anything different to similar restrictions that I have seen in place in many public buildings around the world. This includes museums, art galleries, parliaments, etc, etc, etc.

Rather than suggesting some hidden agenda, what I see is a reasonably well thought through plan to put in place a number of measures that will allow the cathedral and its visitors to be better protected while remaining accessible for visitors of all sorts for some time to come.

Regards,

EDIT: Sorry, but I see Ivar has made a similar point somewhat earlier. I must learn to refresh my browser more often!

 

[MendiWalker]

IMHO more than 1 € per bag (including walking poles) is a rip off.

Ondo Ibili !

 

[piogaw]

i am not questioning the security measures. but i am asking why peregrinos are treated differently inside the cathedral during the mass and the botafumeiro ceremony. i am not talking about the backpacks and walking poles issues. this regulation is done with and being enforced.

i wish you are attending the midday mass regularly and you will see or witness what i am referring to. obviously my observations were in june, august and september of this year. things may have changed since.

 

[Chacharm]

Ah gee lets just ban parents with prams and pushers, oldies who have to use a walking stick and anyone on crutches and of course anyone who dares to have a large handbag. Tis almost the season to be jolly once again.

You think that a backpack is as essential as a cane or crutches or a baby's pram? Or that a large purse takes up as much room as a backpack or has the potential to smack against something or break something off? I have carried a purse for 35 years and not once have I smacked into someone or something else with one - but I accidentally hit someone or something else almost daily with my pack.
And for the record, I DO check my purse when I visit a museum - and I would gladly check in in order to see the Cathedral in Santiago.
I was in Madrid a month after the Atocha bombing - it was horrible. If this measure is meant to protect against Terrorist attack I say more power to the authorities implementing the plan. Protect the visitors and protect the Cathedral. Good job.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

For information on the policies of the Cathedral write to:

Don Francisco Dominguez
Aministrador General
Fundación Catedral de Santiago
Casa do Deán, Rúa do Vilar,1 - 15705 - Santiago de Compostela

For information on the explosive devices found this year in Spanish Cathedrals:



http://www.publico.es/472123/explota-un-artefacto-en-la-basilica-del-pilar-de-zaragoza

Entrance fees in other places:

Malaga Cathedral - 5 euros

Westminster Abbey - 20 euros

Winchester Cathedral 10 euros

Avila Cathedral 4 euros

In each of the above which I have visited personally entrance to a religious service is free but only to the area in which it is being held.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

beware: the ComunicaCarmen website linked above apparently has a Trojan virus problem. Do not open that link if you don´t have up-to-date virus blocker software!

 

[MendiWalker]

Thanks @Rebekah Scott

As a penance @JohnnieWalker say 3 "Hail Mary´s" ,2 "Our Father´s" and 1 "Creed" for that trojan link

Ondo Ibili !

 

[grayland]

beware: the ComunicaCarmen website linked above apparently has a Trojan virus problem. Do not open that link if you don´t have up-to-date virus blocker software!

The ComunicaCarman link was removed.
Maybe John will want to redo the link if he determines it is safe.
Grayland

 

[JohnnieWalker]

http://www.libertaddigital.com/espa...catedral-de-la-almudena-de-madrid-1276481625/

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the link previously posted.

 

[Susannafromsweden]

http://www.libertaddigital.com/espa...catedral-de-la-almudena-de-madrid-1276481625/

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the link previously posted.

I have tested it too, both on my ipad and my laptop, and I found nothing wrong with it.

 

[stevenjarvis]

I was clearly very lucky to enter the cathedral on arrival in Santiago de Compostela in June this year. I was carrying my 70l backpack with a sleeping mat horizontal across the base. There was no way that I was going to get to see the Reliquary without getting jammed in the entrance, so I rearranged it vertically. Whilst doing so, I greatly enjoyed watching a Japanese visitor very carefully take photos of the "no Photography" signs , and , having passed them, take photos of everything else, including me and my backpack, and , pointedly, one of the security people ( who graciously smiled for the camera !) I regret not exchanging email addresses now, I'd like to see what must be an interesting and eclectic photo - archive.

 

[MendiWalker]

I´m glad I´m old , I mean that I walked my first Camino a few years ago. I remember rushing on the last day to Santiago de Compostela ( Yes I rushed that last days ) because my wife and I wanted to arrive to the peregrino mass at midday. We made it just in time too. I still remember the feeling of walking into the Cathedral with my backpack & walking sticks (I folded them up and placed them on the side of my pack), the feeling was great. We were lucky as we both found a seat. And when the priest said for all to rise except the peregrinos........ you can imagine....... the botafumiero didn´t swing that first time. Then we went to see the relics and hug the statue of Santiago. Afterwards we went looking for the Peregrino Office in order to get our Compostela (still with our gear). We walked up the stairs of that old dark entrance and after some time of waiting in line we got our Compostela. After that we took a bus to the Albergue San Lazaro ( great place), had a shower, left our backpacks, took another bus back to the center and walked around as a tourist. ( by as a tourist I mean without my backpack felt strange after so many days being a part of me.
Since that Camino we have walked two more and things have changed unfortunately IMHO, now now dark entrance and stairs to get your Compostela, now backpack to enter the Cathedral................now go find a place to sleep and freshen up and go to the Cathedral as a "tourist".............. I´m glad Im old!

Ondo Ibili !

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Gone is the dark entrance and stairs. Photographs of the new Pilgrims' Office here:

http://www.pastoralsantiago.org/2013/10/ayer-se-inauguraron-y-bendijeron-unas.html

The entrance is the same at Number 3 Rua do Vilar. In season Alsa, the national Bus Company has an office in the complex as does Renfe for train tickets. There are also drinks machines and toilets.

At number 15 Rua do Vilar there is a left luggage office which also offers a bicycle return service, laundry, board pass printing and has free computers and Wifi.

 

[MendiWalker]

Gone is the dark entrance and stairs. Photographs of the new Pilgrims' Office here:

http://www.pastoralsantiago.org/2013/10/ayer-se-inauguraron-y-bendijeron-unas.html

The entrance is the same at Number 3 Rua do Vilar. In season Alsa, the national Bus Company has an office in the complex as does Renfe for train tickets. There are also drinks machines and toilets.

At number 15 Rua do Vilar there is a left luggage office which also offers a bicycle return service, laundry, board pass printing and has free computers and Wifi.

I saw the courtyard used as left luggage office and a Compostela office as well but I still prefer the old dark stairs now exclusive for groups (as you yourself mentioned on other posts). Tis the price of modern age and being old.

Ondo Ibili !

 

[sillydoll]

Pilgrims to Rome are met by even stricter controls when they get to St Peter's. The queues you join in the square are to pass through the airport style scanners and security. You have to leave your backpack, parcels, packets, sticks etc. before you pass through the ticket office. The Dress Code is strictly enforced at St. Peter's Basilica. No shorts, bare shoulders or miniskirts. This applies to both men and women. Even if you get through security, you will be turned away by the attendants at the door if you are not dressed appropriately.
And, there is no friendly group of Amigos to meet and greet you!

 

[stevenjarvis]

Pilgrims to Rome are met by even stricter controls when they get to St Peter's. The queues you join in the square are to pass through the airport style scanners and security. You have to leave your backpack, parcels, packets, sticks etc. before you pass through the ticket office. The Dress Code is strictly enforced at St. Peter's Basilica. No shorts, bare shoulders or miniskirts. This applies to both men and women. Even if you get through security, you will be turned away by the attendants at the door if you are not dressed appropriately.
And, there is no friendly group of Amigos to meet and greet you!

there goes the mini kilt.... one less item to pack

 

[MendiWalker]

there goes the mini kilt.... one less item to pack

Wonder if Borat´s monokini would aso be turned away........

Ondo Ibili !

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Ohh well really it is fair enough… they are trying to preserve…. and yes those "drunken Pilgrims" … cant wait to be one o them … you have to admit YOU guys do make a lot of damage ( I am not one YET so I do not include myself .. next year ) ….Seriously though it is fair enough…. creates a job for someone….. can hire a backpack/ walking pole holder at the door….Annie

There are more likely to be beggars at the door - so be very careful who you leave your backpack with!!!
I certainly don't admit that I make a lot of damage, either. As usual it's the 1% of uncaring pilgrims who make 99% of the headlines.

 

[Diogo92]

For me it’s a two face problem, but I will admit that I’m still a little bit pissed off with this.

I can understand this question throughout the Security point, but in my opinion, I think that it’s more risk in Santiago Airport than the Cathedral. I don’t remember of seeing terrorist attacks in Christian places, beside the one who was directed against the Pope John Paul II. And you can correct me if I’m wrong, but I’ve never seen it. I know that there are any kind of terrorists, but since some people talked about the 9/11 incidents, I’m not seeing Muslims attacking faith places from Christians. They don’t want to have their own Mosque bombed. Oh, and by the way, will they also don’t allow tourists backpacks, or it will be only for pilgrims? Well, you know, when I’m on vacations I like to wonder around with my 20L backpack. So, how’s it going to be? It’s for everybody, or only for some? You can put a grenade or any plastic explosives inside a camera bag, or even in your pockets…

For the conservation point, it could be a great idea for the church gets more funds. Because beside of the poles hitting the ground and creating cracks, and backpacks occupying space inside of the Cathedral, I’m not seeing other problems. People will still walk around there, with boots, sneakers, crocks, flip flops, sandals, etc…

And has @MendiWalker said, 2€ it’s expensive for only your backpack. They could do 2€ for everything, but its 2€ for your backpack, 1€ for each pole, so it really look’s by a way to make money, than other thing.
And it would be great if somebody could really confirm the information that I got from a person who works on a Xunta, that said that for the first few month’s it would be the church who would be in charge of the place, and that after some time, it will be managed by a private company.

Once again, it gives me nightmares to know that people are even trying to make more money with the Camiño. And those people, who are doing it, should be the ones preventing it.

Bom Camiño.

Best Regards
Diogo

 

[dougfitz]

@Diogo92 - wrt to attacks on religious places, I think you will find this is more widespread than you might realise. Two countries where I know this has happened recently are Egypt and Indonesia. Churches might not be a target of choice, but nonetheless it is not unknown for them to be attacked.

It seems to me that the cathedral authorities are right to be cautious, and reduce the risk in sensible ways.

Regards,

 

[MendiWalker]

@Diogo92 - wrt to attacks on religious places, I think you will find this is more widespread than you might realise. Two countries where I know this has happened recently are Egypt and Indonesia. Churches might not be a target of choice, but nonetheless it is not unknown for them to be attacked.

It seems to me that the cathedral authorities are right to be cautious, and reduce the risk in sensible ways.

Regards,

You are right, the cathedral authorities are right to be cautious but I think the reason for this is simply monetary. When the Codex Calixtinus was recuperated the public discovered that this ex- employee of the Cathedral had stolen not only the Codex Calixtinus but an enormous amount of money as well. Till then the Cathedral didn´t really know how much money rolled in on a day to day basis. Since then that control has changed.
Yes , I know the repairs on the facade add up a lot but the Cathedral isn´t the only one picking up the tab on that.
Please don´t compare the situation in Egypt and Indonesia ( both muslim majority ) to Spain ( catholic majority).

Ondo Ibili !

 

[dougfitz]

Please don´t compare the situation in Egypt and Indonesia ( both muslim majority ) to Spain ( catholic majority).

You are right, these countries generally have a far more tolerant attitude to Christians than it would appear the Spanish authorities do to Muslims practising their religion, certainly if this recent article from Gatestone is correct. It would appear that this isn't a recent phenomena either, as this earlier report from The Guardian suggests.

 

[MendiWalker]

As they say in Spanish - " La perra gorda para ti." ( perra gorda - old Spanish coin).

Ondo Ibili !

 

[Susannafromsweden]

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