Hammer of the Holy Door

The origins of the ceremony in which the cathedral's Holy Door is opened are unclear. It was probably inspired by the event held at the Holy Door in Rome since the 16th century, in which the Jubilee year would begin with the door being opened, and end with its closure. The ceremony involving a hammer, which symbolizes the effort that the faithful must make to pass through the gates of Heaven, probably began around the same time.

The absence of references to these ceremonial hammers in Santiago is striking. They were seen as unimportant until relatively recently, perhaps until the remains of Saint James were rediscovered and there was a surge in pilgrimages to the city. It is likely that the tradition of ordering a different hammer for each Holy Year, and for it to be kept by the Master of Ceremonies after the ceremony, also began at this time.