Sunday, March 16, 2008

Spanish cathedral installs indoor traffic lights to control crowds

A medieval cathedral in Spain's Mediterranean port of Valencia has installed two indoor traffic lights to help control the influx of visitors expected during Holy Week which begins on Sunday.

The traffic lights were placed at the bottom of the 207 steps of Valencia Cathedral's octagonal bell tower, which offers sweeping views of the city, as well as at the top of the staircase, the cathedral said on its website.

The traffic lights were set up earlier this month "to avoid jams between the groups of people who climb and descend the stairs of the bell tower" and are controlled either manually or automatically with sensors, it added.

The Roman Catholic cathedral was completed in the 15th century and its bell tower, La Miguelete, is a city landmark.

Thousands of people flock to the cathedral during Holy Week -- the seven days before Easter -- for special services and festivities.

It contains numerous treasures, including two paintings by Francisco de Goya, a 14th century lantern and a golden chalice which is believed by many to have been used by Christ during the Last Supper.
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