Spain Burgas. Burgos is one of the most attractive cities in northern Spain. Shopping and shops

In the city of Burgos, Spain // sxizma.livejournal.com

Let's start our walk around Burgos from the beginning. That is, from the place where the city was founded - from a large green hill just north of the historical center. There, in 884, the Count of Castile, Diego Rodriguez Porcelos, founded a fortress.

// sxizma.livejournal.com

Actually, in the photo above it is the same fortress, but not quite it. To the present day old castle did not survive: it was repeatedly taken by assault, there were fires in it, it was restored... But most of all it suffered during the occupation of Spain by Napoleon: in 1813, leaving the castle, which served them as a gunpowder warehouse, French troops blew it up. The castle was restored relatively recently (I won’t give the exact date due to multiple sclerosis, but in the 1960s it was definitely still in ruins) and is now open to tourists. And around him it's broken big park, where both tourists and locals relax.

A little lower down the hill there is an observation deck:

// sxizma.livejournal.com

Helsinki, they are almost as far away as North Pole, Yes:-)

// sxizma.livejournal.com

The observation deck has an interesting parapet: on the railings are depicted monuments of Burgos architecture, which are best seen from this place and their names are signed. The cathedral is right in front of us.

// sxizma.livejournal.com

Church of Saint Esteban in Burgos, Spain // sxizma.livejournal.com

Sorry, it came out a little crooked.

// sxizma.livejournal.com

And here it is, St. Mary's Cathedral. Handsome, isn't he? To make sure, let's walk around it.

Cathedral St. Mary's in Burgos, Spain // sxizma.livejournal.com

// sxizma.livejournal.com

This is not part of the cathedral, but a small square near it (from the side of the hill)

// sxizma.livejournal.com

We go out to the square named after King Fernando the Saint. By the way, it was under this king that the construction of the cathedral began in 1221. Burgos Cathedral is one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in Spain. And one of the largest - the third largest after the Gothic cathedrals of Seville and Toledo.

Square of King Fernando Saint in Burgos, Spain // sxizma.livejournal.com

The cathedral was built on the site of a small Romanesque church. Here are two layouts for comparison:

// sxizma.livejournal.com

It was (Romanesque church)

// sxizma.livejournal.com

It became (Gothic cathedral). By the way, I’m looming in the background))

Models and many other interesting and beautiful things can be seen in the cathedral itself. Shall we go inside?

// sxizma.livejournal.com

April 18th, 2012 , 10:56 pm

Until recently, I heard that in Spain and Bulgaria there are almost cities of the same name- either Burgos or Burgas. And here for Last year By chance (due to fog in Sofia) I visited both of these cities, and now I know: in Bulgaria - BurgAs, and in Spain - BURGOS...

Arlanzon river

Burgos is located on the Arlancon River. The historical center is located on the northern shore.

Arlanzon river

And in the east of the city lies Fuentes Blancas Park, the main attraction of which is the Carthusian monastery of Miraflores.

The Carthusian Order was founded by the monk Bruno of Cologne (1030-1101). In 1084, in the Alps, not far from Grenoble, he created his monastery - the Great Chartreuse, after which the order began to be called.

Bruno of Cologne (Bruno de Colonia)

This Carthusian monastery was founded by King Juan II of Castile in 1441. In 1452, the building burned down, and the current monastery was built in 1454-84.

Carthusian Monastery of Miraflores

The luxurious altar was made by the sculptor Gil de Siloe in 1496-99, and the paints were applied by the artist Diego de la Cruz.

Carthusian Monastery of Miraflores

You can come close to the altar to examine the skillful work.

Carthusian Monastery of Miraflores

In the center of the nave is the tomb of King John II of Castile (1405-54) and his wife, Queen Isabella of Portugal (1428-96). The work was commissioned by their daughter, Isabella the Catholic. The author was the same Gil de Siloe. The tomb is made in the Gothic style from alabaster in the shape of an 8-pointed star. In 2006, a study of the remains was carried out - it is interesting that the king’s skeleton was preserved almost completely, and only a few bones remained of the queen.

Tomb of Juan II and Isabella of Portugal ( Sepulcro de Juan II e Isabel de Portugal)

The monastery is also decorated with beautiful paintings.

Carthusian Monastery of Miraflores

Medieval Burgos had 12 gates. The Arch of Santa Maria, built in the 14th-15th centuries, has reached us. and then rebuilt in white limestone in 1536-53. In the niches of the arch you can see human figures. Central location occupied by Diego Rodriguez Porcelos.

Arch of St. Mary (Arco de Santa Maria)

It is Diego Rodriguez who is considered the founder of the city. This happened in 884.

Burgos

The name Burgos most likely comes from the Latin word burgus - tower.

Paloma Street (Calle de la Paloma)

The main asset of the city is the Gothic cathedral. This is the only Spanish cathedral that is independently included in the UNESCO Heritage List. It’s so big that I couldn’t fit it into one frame.

There are red posters on the wall. At first I thought Pope Benedict XVI was calling for some kind of religious revolution. But it turned out that these were two separate banners, and “R-evolution” was the slogan of Burgos’s candidacy for the title cultural capital Europe - 2016. The symbolic letters "R" could be seen everywhere.

Burgos Cathedral

Construction of the cathedral began in 1221 by decree of King Ferdinand III of Castile on the site of the former Romanesque cathedral. The altar was consecrated in 1260, after which no construction work was carried out for 200 years.

Burgos Cathedral

The completion of the cathedral dates back to 1567, when the spire above the main ceiling was completed.

Burgos Cathedral

The temple has several altars.

Burgos Cathedral

The cathedral also has a place for masterpieces of painting. For example, the work of Leonardo da Vinci's student - Giampetrino - "Magdalene". Remembering Altov’s “The Story of an Art Critic” - this Mary Magdalene (unlike El Greco’s work) repents somehow unconvincingly and without sparkle.

Magdalena

And in the courtyard there was a place for modern art.

Burgos Cathedral

There are several tombs in the cathedral. In 1921, the national hero of Spain, El Cid, and his wife Ximena were reburied here.

Burgos Cathedral

The legendary sword of El Cid - Tison is also located here. After the death of the great warrior, the sword ended up in the hands of the Aragonese king, and in 1516 the Marquis de Falces received it for his devoted service. According to legend, de Falces chose the sword of El Cid instead of the palace and lands. Tizona's last owner, Marquis Jose Ramon Suarez del Otero, turned out to be much more crafty, and in 2007 he sold the sword to the government of Castile and Leon for 1.6 million euros. Moreover, many experts believe that its market value is only about 200-300 thousand euros, because there is no certainty that this is El Cid’s sword. Analysis of the metal showed that the blade actually dates back to the 11th century, but the hilt was made in the 16th century.

El Sid

Cid Campeador (real name Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar) (1048-99) was born in the suburbs of Burgos and served at the Castilian court. He was one of the heroes of the Reconquista; in 1094 he captured Valencia, where he later died.
Naturally, in Burgos there is also a monument to El Cid, which is somewhat reminiscent of Moscow’s Yuri Dolgoruky.

El Sid

During the move, Aunt Galya showed us on the bus the film “El Cid” (1961), which competed for an Oscar in 3 categories, but failed to win. Much of the 3-hour epic film is occupied by the love story of Sid and Ximena, played by Sophia Loren.
There is a sculpture of Jimena Diaz on the San Pablo Bridge.

Jimena Diaz

And on the opposite side of the bridge you can see the son of El Cid and Jimena - Diego.

Diego Rodriguez

Because the city stands on the path of St. James, then a pilgrim cannot go anywhere without a sculpture. The author of the work is Teodoro Antonio Ruiz.

Pilgrim (El Peregrino)

Since 1038, Burgos has been the capital of the Kingdom of Castile. In 1492 this title was transferred to Valladolid. And now Burgos is the second city of autonomy, with a population of about 179 thousand people.

Plaza Mayor

The main square of the city is lined with red bricks.

Plaza Mayor

The city hall is located here. On the left side is the red-brown flag of Burgos.

Town Hall

King Charles III (1716-88) of the Bourbon dynasty ruled Spain for almost 30 years. During these years, the country began to recover after a strong decline. Many economic reforms were carried out, many of which the people did not like - there were even uprisings. Charles III said: “My people are like a child - they cry when they wash them.”

Charles III

Burgos has several beautiful palaces. One of them is the Captain's Palace. This military headquarters was built in 1903-07.

Captain's Palace (Palacio de Capitania General)

A girl with an umbrella walks in front of the palace.

Girl with an umbrella (La dama del paraguas)

The house of the rulers of Burgos (constables) is also called the House of the Rope, since the façade of the building is decorated with “rope” patterns. The palace was built by order of Constable Pedro Fernandez de Velasco in 1476. And in 1497, Columbus met here with the Catholic kings after his second voyage to America.

House of the Rope (Casa del Cordon)

The current government of the province of Burgos is located in a classic building in El Cid Square. The palace was built in 1864-69. during the reign of Isabella II.

Palace of the Province (Palacio Provincial)

The main theater of the city is the Principal Theater. Its construction began in 1843, and the grand opening took place in 1858.

Theater Principal

Actors can be seen not only on the theater stage, but also on the street. For example, Johnny Depp met by chance.

Jack Sparrow

King Enrique III of Castile (1379-1406) was not in good health and died at the age of 27. He is buried in the Cathedral of Toledo.

Enrique III the Sick (Enrique III el Doliente)

Along the Arlançon River there is a long park area where they like to walk local residents and guests of Burgos.

Alley Marcelino Santa Maria (Paseo de Marcelino Santa Maria)

This is where the police walk their dogs.

Police

By the way, on the 150th anniversary of the city police in Burgos, such a monument was erected.

City Guard (Guardia Urbano)

The Isla embankment is especially pleasant for walks. The construction of this alley began in the middle of the 19th century, and at the beginning of the 20th century. the park was decorated with interesting monuments.

In 1905, a bust of Miguel de Cervantes was erected.

Miguel de Cervantes

A colonial-style fountain was brought from the monastery of San Pedro de Arlanza.

Fountain

Perhaps the main decoration of the park is the waterfall complex created from stalactites and stalagmites of the Atapuerca cave.

Alley Isla (Paseo de la Isla)

Like I said, the "R" was everywhere.

Alley Isla (Paseo de la Isla)

The word R-evolution was chosen because the city is home to the famous Museum of Human Evolution. It was opened in the summer of 2010, and has already become the most visited museum in Castile and Leon, and is one of the 10 most popular museums in the entire country.

Museum of Human Evolution (Museo de la Evolucion Humana)

In addition to this museum south coast The city does not have many attractions, but you can find something interesting.

Aranda de Duero Street

Valencian sculptor Andreu Alfaro (b. 1929) gave the city a work in his signature aluminum style.

Americas

Burgos has several universities and institutes.

Institute Lopez de Mendoza (Instituto Cardenal Lopez de Mendoza)

The Church of St. Cosmas and Damian, built in the 16th century, is interesting because externally it is made in the Renaissance style, and inside it is designed in the late Gothic style.

Church of St. Cosmas and Damian (Iglesia de San Cosme y San Damian)

By and large, this is the end of the excursion part of our tour of northern Spain. Ahead is an overnight stay in Zaragoza and 3 days of relaxation at sea in La Pineda...

Burgos, located on the Ancient Frankish Road, is a must-visit for those who appreciate architecture, with a magnificent Gothic cathedral. It stands in the center of the Old Town, on the right, northern bank of the Arlançon River; in the western part of the city, on a hill, there is an ancient castle. On the left, southern bank, in addition to the bus and train stations and new residential areas, there are two medieval monasteries. If you want to limit yourself to just exploring the city, then come to Burgos for one day; if you want to visit the monasteries, then stay another day. The most convenient way to start a walk around Burgos is from the Santa Maria Bridge (Puente de Santa Maria), which spans Arlançon.

If you find yourself in Burgos in the warm season, you will probably see many geese and ducks under the bridge, which give the city landscape a rustic picturesqueness. At the exit from the bridge stands the city gate of Santa Maria, built in the 16th century into the ancient fortress wall and decorated with statues of those who played an important role in the history of Burgos (Count Diego Porcellos, Charles V, under whom this gate was built, Cid, Count Fernand of Burgos Gonzalez). Nowadays, exhibition halls are located inside the gate towers: in the hall on the first floor, a carved ceiling in the Mudejar style has been preserved.

Sights of Burgos

After passing through the arch of the gate, you will find yourself in front of the main facade of the famous Burgos Cathedral, one of the most beautiful Gothic churches not only in Spain, but in the whole world. It is included in the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage. Construction of the cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady began on the site of a Romanesque church in 1221 by order of the Castilian king Ferdinand III - he himself laid the first stone on the site of a Romanesque church. The architects who built the temple were guided by French models; first of all, to the Parisian church of the Abbey of Saint-Denis, borrowing from there many constructive solutions.

Like many Gothic cathedrals, the temple in Burgos was not completed in the Middle Ages, and was subsequently rebuilt many times, most recently in the 19th century. The most ancient elements of the cathedral are the main nave and the courtyard. Having climbed the steps of the main, western, facade and entered through the main doors of the temple, you will find yourself in the part reserved for worship. Believers come here, and tourists are not very welcome here. However, it is worth looking (through the glass doors) into the chapel located to the right of the entrance, where an ancient crucifix is installed - one of the symbols of Burgos.

The main facade of the temple is oriented to the west and dedicated to the Mother of God; most of it was built in the 13th century, although the towers appeared only in the 14th century. It is most convenient to view this facade from top to bottom. In the center of the arcade between the towers there is a statue of the Virgin Mary, below are statues of eight Castilian kings, and below them is a huge Gothic rose window, in the center of which the outlines of the hexagonal Star of David, the most important biblical symbol, are clearly visible. The central doors of the temple were opened only to members of the royal families; Ordinary believers can now only get inside through small side doors.

Climbing the stairs from Plaza Santa Maria, you can walk around the temple and explore its northern façade, dedicated to the apostles. In the center, above the entrance, the day of the Last Judgment is depicted: angels, the Mother of God and John the Baptist surrounded God the Judge; just below, Archangel Michael separates the righteous from the sinners. Continuing around the cathedral, you will see the eastern apses, which are decorated completely differently - at the first glance at them it is easy to determine that the asps were built much later, not at all in the Gothic style. This part of the temple was erected during the Renaissance, in the 16th century.

Here you can see scenes from the life of John the Baptist, as well as heraldic signs of the Velasco and Mendoza families, with whose funds the eastern walls of the temple were built. The most interesting is the oldest (1230), southern, façade; his Gothic sculptures symbolically depict the “Divine Liturgy”: Christ surrounded by evangelists, singing angels, apostles during holy conversations. Now the temple is divided into two zones, museum and liturgical. To explore the rest of the temple, its main treasures and museums, you should buy a ticket at the ticket office on the south side of the cathedral, on the Plaza del Rev San Fernando (San Fernando Square), and then take the stairs to the south entrance.

The interior of the cathedral is grandiose, many rooms were built during the Renaissance and Baroque, in XVIII centuries, so there is a lot of gilding, magnificent stone carvings, altars, sculptures and other treasures. The central nave is decorated with a huge 16th-century retablo. Biblical and Gospel scenes are carved on the choir railing; The great knight Cid Campeador and his wife Jimena are buried in front of the choir. The temple also houses Sid's chest - according to legend, the knight filled it with sand to deceive Jewish moneylenders. Near the northern doors, a gilded staircase (Escalera Dorada) has been preserved.

Above the eastern entrance of the cathedral hangs a clock with moving Papamoscas figures. Take a look at the cathedral's courtyard - the arcades also house museum exhibitions. Having walked around the cathedral and examined its treasures, you will go out again to its central, western facade, on Plaza Santa Maria (square Santa Maria). This square is laid out on the site of an ancient church cemetery. Later the cemetery was changed food market; in the middle of the 15th century, a fountain was installed in its center from which drinking water was taken. In 1663, a statue of the Virgin Mary was installed near the fountain.

The façade faces the square gothic church San Nicolas (Iglesia de San Nicolas) – you have to climb the steps to get there. The richly decorated temple is famous for its sculpted altar created by Ferdinand de Colonia in 1505. This altar is a huge carved stone book telling the story of the life of St. Nicholas. Another attraction of the church is the painting “The Last Judgment,” painted by an anonymous Flemish author in the 16th century. In addition, the tombs of noble townspeople have been preserved in the temple.

Along Calle Fernan Gonzales (Fernan Gonzales Street) you can walk along the narrow medieval streets to the Fernan Gonzales Gate and then to the nearby monument to Sid and the San Martin Gate (Arcode San Martin), from which the sections of the fortress wall that have survived to this day begin XV century. From the Fernan Gonzales gate (Arco de Fernan Gonzales) paths, alleys and stairs rise up the mountain; they all lead to mirador - observation deck, which offers a magnificent view of the city, and even higher, to the top of the hill, on which are the ruins of the ancient Burgos castle (Castillo)

Construction of the castle began in 884 by order of King Athonso III. The castle was supposed to become a reliable stronghold in the fight against the Moors. Later it was used as a royal residence - in the 11th-15th centuries Christian rulers and Leona lived here. In the 19th century it was almost completely destroyed by Napoleonic troops. You can learn about the history of the castle in a small museum, which is now open on the ruins; also don’t forget to visit the underground passages along with the excursion former castle and examine the multi-meter well that allowed the defenders to draw water from Arlancon during the siege.

A staircase on the western side of the hill will lead you from the castle to the Gothic Church of San Esteban (Iglesia de San Esteban), which now houses the Retablo Museum (Museo del Retablo, Calle San Esteban) - it contains altar images from various city temples. The church was built in the 14th century and slightly expanded two centuries later. From there, along Calle Alvar Fanez (Alnar Fanez streets) you can go to another city gate and to the Church of San Gil (Iglesia de San Gil) with a Gothic altar.

A few blocks south is the Baroque Church of San Lorenzo (Iglesiade San Lorenzo, and next door is the Plaza Mayor, a typical Spanish square square, lined with houses with arcades. A few steps from the Plaza Mayor, on the Plaza Libertad (Libertad Square), there is a mansion called Casa del Cordon, XV. Its name literally translates as “house of the rope” - the belt of a Franciscan monk is depicted on the facade.

The inscription on the plaque says that in this palace the Catholic kings Ferdinand and Isabella solemnly welcomed Columbus in 1497 after his return from his second expedition to the West Indies. Along Calle Puebla (Puebla Street) you can reach Plaza Lesmes, which is surrounded by several ancient buildings: the Monastery of Bernardos (Monasterio de los Bernardos), now given to the city conservatory, the Monastery of San Juan, the Church of San Juan Lesmes (Iglesia de San Lesmes, XVI) and a hospital for pilgrims heading to Santiago - now it will house a library.

Returning to the Arlançon waterfront, see the Plaza del Sid with the monument to the Great Knight of Burgos and the main city bridge San Pablo (Puente de San Pablo), decorated with statues of kings. Along the coast, starting from the building of the city theater, stretches the Paseo del Kspolon boulevard, decorated with statues and decorative trimmed thujas - in the 19th century, a place for aristocrats to walk. If you come to Burgos for a few days and have time, then try to explore the monuments on the left bank of Arlançon.

The first of them is the Burgos Museum (Museo de Burgos, Calle de Miranda), which occupies two ancient noble mansions. Here you can see Roman statues, primitive tools, a rich collection of medieval paintings and more. A few blocks west of it is the Renaissance church of San Cosme e San Damian (Iglesia des San Cosme e San Damian, Calle San Cosme) and the adjacent La Concepcion Hospital (XVI-XVII). Going along Calle de la Concepcion (Concepcion Street) to the Arlançon embankment, you will see the Church of La Merced (Iglesia de la Merced, 1519) and the Seminary of San Nicolas (XVI).

We advise you to continue along the coast to the west and turn onto Avenida Monasterio de las Huelgas (Monasterio de las Huelgas Street): A half-hour walk (about 1 kilometer from the city center) will take you to the Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de las Huelgas. Huelgas (Monasterio Santa Maria la Real de Huelgas). It became one of the most famous in , despite the fact that Eleanor of England, the daughter of the English king Henry II and the wife of Alfonso VIII of Castile, founded it in 1187 on so-called free lands not intended for agricultural work (such lands are called in Spanish "huelgas")

While Burgos was the Spanish capital, Las Huelgas was a royal monastery. It played the most important role in the life of the royal court: from Ferdinand III (1219) to Juan I (1379), the kings of Castile and Leon were crowned here and knighted here. This is where they were buried: in the main church of the monastery there are royal tombs(including the founders of the monastery, Eleanor of England and Alfonso VIII). Most of the monastery's buildings were built at the turn of the 12th-12th centuries; The earliest is considered to be the courtyard of Las Claustrillas, whose Romanesque galleries were erected in the first third of the 13th century. The monastery is still in operation - 35 nuns live in it.

However, most of the historical buildings are given over to the museum and are available for inspection. In addition to the Royal Pantheon and fine examples of Romanesque architecture and sculpture, here you can see the small Textile Museum (Museo de Ricas Telas). Royal robes and tapestries are exhibited here, as well as a collection of paintings, historical relics (for example, Arab banners captured by the Spaniards in the famous Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, which put an end to Islamic rule in the Iberian Peninsula). To the west of the monastery is the royal hospital (Hospital del Rev, XV), where pilgrims heading to Santiago could stay.

Now the building is given to the University of Burgos, but the carved gates, decorated in the Plateresque style, have been preserved. In the eastern part of Burgos (4 kilometers from the city center) there is another famous monastery of Cartula les Miraflorss, which still belongs to the Carthusians (only the church is accessible for inspection). In the 15th century, it was one of the richest monasteries in the country - according to legend, the first gold brought by Columbus from America was used to gild the magnificent monastery altar by Juan de Siloe. In the temple, under magnificent tombstones, the parents of Isabella of Castile are buried - King Juan II and his wife Isabella of Portugal.

In contact with

For some reason, it always seemed to me that the knight Sid was some kind of fairy-tale character from Spanish folklore. But no - the Spanish Ilya Muromets (who, by the way, was also a very real character) was actually born and lived in Burgos in the 11th century, starting his career as a mercenary warrior as a police lieutenant of the Castilian king Sancho II. We went to the homeland of the hero of Spanish epics, intrigued by the story of Cid, and also eager to see the magnificent Burgos Cathedral - the most significant monument of Spanish Gothic architecture, declared a heritage of humanity by UNESCO in 1984.

The capital of the province of the same name, Burgos, turned out to be clean city with with a relatively small population of 360 thousand people. We were immediately struck by the bed of the Arlançon River, which runs right through the city center. It must be nice to sit on a hot summer afternoon in the shade of the willows that surround its embankment and watch the wild ducks, of which there are a great many. At one time, this deep river ensured the flourishing of the city, the old center of which was formed in the 11th century from several villages located on its banks.

History of Burgos

Burgos's initial purpose was purely military-strategic. Back in the 9th century, the Asturian Duke Diego Porcelos built a defensive castle here to resist the Muslims, turning the city into the capital of first the duchy, and then the Kingdom of Castile.

In the 13th century, as a result of the migration of Castilian peasants under the protection of the fortress wall, the remains of which have survived to this day, the city grew greatly and actively traded with Bilbao, exchanging wool and wheat for metal. The Reconquista and the rule of the Catholic kings brought even greater prosperity to Burgos, but with the coming to power of Ferdinand II, a period of decline began due to the loss of a large share of trade, the route of which now passed through new capital Madrid, and the severance of trade ties with northern ports. The demographic situation was worsened by the plague epidemic, and to top all the troubles, a terrible fire in 1736 destroyed the castle that laid the foundation for the city, as well as a significant part of the fortress wall and palaces of the nobility.

And only the 20th century revived the former greatness of Burgos, returning the history of the city to its military origins. In 1936, Burgos became the headquarters of Franco's troops, where the dictator took the reins of the country. Later, the city received a strong impetus for the development of industry, but in the minds of most Spaniards it remained primarily a military city.

People of Burgos

It is believed that the people here are “very Castilian” (muy castellanos), which implies a certain dryness and closedness in communication, as well as highly educated and religious. During the dictatorship, local wealthy families, which usually had large families, had an unspoken rule: one of the sons must become a priest, and one of the daughters – nun. And at all times the city was favored by religious figures.

Cathedral of Burgos

Since the Middle Ages, Burgos has been a mandatory stop for pilgrims following the Route of Saint James to Santiago de Compostela. It was in Burgos that the construction of one of the first Catholic churches in Castile began in the 13th century.

The foundation stone of the Cathedral of Burgos was laid by Bishop Mauritius in 1221, during the reign of Ferdinand III. Before construction began, this venerable old man, whose tomb is located in the cathedral, spent four months in Germany and France, where Gothic architecture was rapidly developing at that time. Having seen the Cathedral of Notre-Dame under construction and being impressed by the towers of the cathedrals of Rouen, Chartreuse and Saint-Denis, the bishop was instrumental in bringing an unknown, but presumably French architect familiar with the above-mentioned structures, into the plans for the cathedral.

The work of this unknown master was later continued by another French architect, known as Maestro Enrique, and by a number of German and Spanish architects, who had already made a name for themselves by building religious buildings in the Gothic style. The result of their work was the rarest examples of Gothic churches built outside of France, which were not copies of French cathedrals.

The fruits of the centuries-old work of these masters are today enjoyed by millions of tourists who visit Burgos to see its legendary Cathedral, and, in addition, to taste local delicacies. However, “morcilla” (Spanish: morcilla), blood sausage, which is usually eaten here with a piece of white country bread, can be bought almost everywhere in Spain. However, in Burgos rice is added, which makes the morcilla more tender. And the excellent soft cheese from Burgos can be said to be an integral part

The city of Burgos, the capital of the province of the same name in Spain, is located 244 km north of Madrid, in the eastern sector of the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León. His coordinates: longitude 42º 20′ 57.1″ N and latitude: 3º 41′ 4.7″ O. The city covers an area of 107.08 km² and is located at an altitude of 856 m above sea level (data from the Institute of Geography of Spain). In terms of population (approximately 180,000 people), Burgos ranks 37th in Spain and 2nd in the Autonomous Community of Castile and Leon.
Its advantageous location has turned the city into an important communications center in northern Spain. The most convenient routes from the Castilian highlands (Meseta) to the Basque Country (further to France) and Cantabria go through Burgos.
Getting to Burgos is not difficult, since “all roads in Castile lead to Burgos.” You can use the train by intercity bus or rent a car. The city has an airport, but the number of regular flights is negligible.
Burgos, not the best ancient city Spain, however, it is rightfully considered the capital of Castilian Gothic, and the local Cathedral was among the first to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (1984).
Meanwhile, Burgos does not at all look like a frozen monument city. The great past here combines quite harmoniously with the present. Modern and diverse Burgos can offer its guests everything they need to feel the fullness of life: delicious food and wine; the medieval atmosphere of the city of pilgrims; many parks and boulevards surrounded by greenery; shops for every taste; seething nightlife; and even a beach on the Arlancon River. It’s difficult to fully enjoy Burgos and experience its strict Castilian character in a few hours, but it can be done in a couple of days. After all, Burgos is not a simple city at all - it is the “head” of Castile, and also:
city of Sida Campeador;
city of the pilgrimage route Santiago;
the city of famous masters of the late Gothic and Renaissance;
a city of wealthy merchants and artisans;
the city of the "first Europeans" whose fossil remains were discovered in Atapuerca.
The main holiday of the city of Burgos begins on June 29 and lasts a whole week. It is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul (San Pedro and San Pablo / Fiestas patronales de San Pedro y San Pablo).
The people of Burgos chose Saint Lesmes as their patron. During his lifetime he was abbot of the monastery of San Juan in Burgos. Saint Lesmes Day falls on the Sunday closest to January 30th.

Weather in Burgos
The climate in Burgos has a certain uniqueness. Some call it Mediterranean-continental, while others call it temperate-continental with a predominant influence Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, summers here are mild and dry. The rainiest seasons are spring and autumn. The average annual precipitation is 400 – 600 mm, which is very little.
In winter there is snow and minimum temperatures can reach -10°C. Blizzards and blizzards occur in these parts even at the beginning of spring (late March - first ten days of April).
Regardless of the season, average temperatures in Burgos are lower than in other areas of the Iberian Peninsula with a similar climate type. The difference is approximately 5 degrees. The explanation for this “anomaly” is simple - the city is located at an altitude of 800-900 m above sea level.

BURGOS – A LITTLE HISTORY

In the name of the city Burg(os) one can hear the heavy tread of the Teutons. Want to make sure of this? Say Hamburg, Nuremberg, Konigsberg... Blue-eyed blonds came to Spain in the middle of the first millennium AD. and even created their own kingdom here. In the 8th century, the Moors landed on the Iberian Peninsula and pushed the Visigoths far to the north, to the lands of modern Asturias and Cantabria. A 600-year war began between Christianity and Islam for the possession of the Iberian Peninsula, called the Reconquista. The emergence of the city and the history of Burgos are closely connected with the events of that distant time.
One of the Arab chronicles mentions the village of Burchia, plundered in 860. Judging by the description of the area, it could be a village on the site of present-day Burgos. Perhaps this incident prompted King Alfonso III of Leon to think about the need to build a fortification on one of the hills on the right bank of the Arlançon River. In 884 Count Diego Porcelos(Diego Porcelos) fulfilled the instructions of his monarch and Burg-Burgos (a fortified village in the lane) appeared on the hill above Arlanson.
In 931 Fernan Gonzalez(Fernán González) took possession of several counties in the territory of modern Castile: Burgos, Lara, Lantarón, Cerezo and Álava. From this union the land of castles was born - the County of Castile, and Burgos became the main city of the new territorial entity.
In a hundred years (1038) Fernando, descendant of Fernand and son of Sancho the Great, made Burgos the capital of the united kingdom of Castile and Leon.
End of the 11th century - the time of division of the paternal inheritance by three brothers: Sancho II, Alfonso VI, Garcia. Each got a kingdom, but Sancho (Castile) and Alfonso (Leon) wanted more. First, the warlike lord of Castile captured Garcia and imprisoned his younger brother in the castle of Burgos. Then he entered into a fight with Alphonse. Leon's master lost the battle and took refuge with his sister in Zamora. Sancho II besieged the city, but one night he was vilely killed in his own camp. “Heir”, Alfonso VI arrives in Burgos for the coronation, and then the standard bearer Sancho II appears on the scene - Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar. It won't be long before Rodrigo receives an honorary nickname LED, and then become the most famous hero of the Spanish folk epic. It was he who made Alfonso VI swear on the Bible that he had nothing to do with the murder of his brother Sancho. The oath was taken in the church of Santa Agueda (Santa Gadea). After some time, under a far-fetched pretext, Alphonse takes away the lands of Campeador and expels him from his possessions. The Hero's long journey began with a farewell to Burgos, whose streets at that hour were deserted, and the doors and windows were tightly closed. And not because the townspeople feared or hated Rodrigo. The king commanded so.
It seems that Alfonso VI did not like Burgos too much. In 1074 he decides to demolish his palace in Burgos and give the land for the construction of the Cathedral. At the same time, the king's sisters transferred the bishop's throne from Oka to Hamonal (Burgos). In 1085, Alfonso completely moved the capital of his kingdom to the newly conquered Toledo. However, Burgos retained its importance as the main city of Castile. The pilgrimage route of Santiago passed through Burgos - one of the three most important roads of Faith and Repentance in Medieval Europe. Thousands of pilgrims passed through Burgos on their way to the relics of St. James and brought prosperity to the city.
The Arab thinker Al-Idrisi wrote about 12th-century Burgos:"This Big city which the river crosses. It is divided into several parts, each of which is surrounded by a wall. One of the areas is inhabited only by Jews. The city is strong and well defended. There are many residents, many bazaars, trading shops and wealth. A considerable number of pilgrims pass through the city every day.”
In 1221, construction began on the most famous building in Burgos - the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary (Catedral de Santa María La Mayor) in a new style for that time. In 1260, one of the first Gothic churches in Spain was consecrated.
Until the beginning of the Habsburg dynasty (Charles V), Burgos played an important role in the political life of the Crown of Castile. Catholic kings received in the city of Columba, after his return from the second expedition to America. During an audience at the Cordon Palace, the navigator presented the monarchs with gold from the New World. It was used to decorate the retablo in the Cartuja de Miraflores monastery. The city hosted the historic meeting of the Cortes (1515), at which the Duke of Alba announced the accession of Navarre to the Castilian crown. Here Fernando II (husband and co-ruler of Isabella) signed the famous “Laws of Burgos” (1512). This series of regulations established the order of colonization of America and the legal status of the natives.
At the end of the 15th century. The transformation of an agricultural town into a shopping center begins. The merchants of Burgos seize key positions in the supply of wool and colonial goods to the European market. A Maritime Consulate appears in the land city, where transactions for the charter of ships are carried out in the ports of the Bay of Biscay (Cantabria, Asturias and the Basque Country). Burgos experienced its Golden Age in the first half of the 16th century, and then began a period of gradual decline. This was facilitated not only by internal, but also by external factors: the war in Holland, the discovery of America, the tendency towards centralization of power in the capital city (Madrid), characteristic of the period of absolutism. The situation was aggravated by recurring plague epidemics. They led to a serious decline in the population of Burgos. The trade and pilgrimage routes that fed the city became deserted.
The devastation assumed terrifying proportions. Houses fell into disrepair, and once beautiful palaces turned into ruins. This continued until the end of the 18th century, when the “enlightened monarchs” turned their attention to the terrible situation of Burgos and its inhabitants. The city received a monopoly on the production and trade of wool, but this favor helped Burgos little. There were no sellers, no goods. “Urban planning projects” were equally insignificant. However, the St. Peter's Bridge (Puente de San Pablo) appeared in the city, some roads were repaired, and the layout of some of the most offensive neighborhoods was adjusted.
At the very beginning of the 19th century. Napoleon took control of Burgos. French troops occupied the city from 1807 to 1813. When leaving, they blew up a large gunpowder magazine. So Burgos lost his castle. But the Gauls sowed new ideas, including urban planning. From them grew the promenade of Espoloncillo - little Espolon, a green area on the banks of the Arlançon River.
In 1834, Burgos became the capital of the province of the same name. The change in status required the construction of new residential areas and administrative buildings. Then the areas of Paseo de la Isla, Paseo de la Quinta and the entire upper part of Espolona appeared. Most of the buildings in the historical center also date back to the 19th century. On October 25, 1860, thanks to the advent of the Madrid-French border line, the railway came to Burgos
At the beginning of the 20th century the city continued to grow. Construction of the “Extension” (el Ensanche) has begun. Long and wide avenues were laid out, grouped around the Plaza de España.
During Civil War(1936-39) the headquarters of the rebel generals (Junta de Defensa Nacional) was located in Burgos. The first Francoist government of Spain was formed here. In October 1939, Franco's government moved to Madrid.
The next stage in the development of Burgos began in the 60s of the twentieth century. He was accompanied rapid growth industry (automotive, chemical) and, accordingly, the urban population. Burgos included several nearby villages. In 1970, the tallest residential building in the city appeared (16 floors, 70m). However, to this day the Cathedral remains the main architectural dominant. The height of its tower, topped with spiers, is 80 m. Meanwhile, the city planners of Burgos are not abandoning attempts to break the record of their distant predecessors. They plan to erect 20-25 storey buildings in several locations in the city.
During the transition period, when the process of forming autonomous communities was underway, Burgos temporarily became the capital of Castile y Leon. Currently, the Supreme Court of this region of Spain is located here.

TRANSPORT in BURGOS

How to get to Burgos:

AIRPLANE.
Burgos Airport opened on July 10, 2008 and is located in the Villafría district, 4 km east of the city center. The only one regular flight to Barcelona is carried out by Air Nostrum. During the summer, planes fly to Palma on the island of Mallorca and to the island of Ibiza.

TRAIN
New Train Station Burgos' name is Rosa de Lima(Burgos-Rosa de Lima). It is located in the Villímar district on Avenida Príncipe de Asturias s/n, 5 km from the city center. The station ticket office is open from 7:15 to 22:30. Since December 2007, Burgos has been connected to the main cities of Spain (Barcelona, Bilbao, Vigo, Madrid, Gijon, Endaya) high-speed trains Alvia type. Direct train connections are also available with other cities: Leon, San Sebastian, Vitoria, Salamanca. Trains from Paris, Lisbon, and Coimbra pass through Burgos.
The Rosa de Lima station is adapted to receive high-speed express trains such as "Ave" and in the near future trains of the Valladolid-Burgos-Vitoria line under construction will begin to stop here. The start of the labor movement is expected at the end of 2015. From now on, travel times between Burgos and other cities in Spain will be greatly reduced and will be:
Valladolid – 40 min.;
Madrid –1 hour 30 minutes;
Bilbao – 1 hour;
Vitoria – 30 min.;
Leon – 1 hour;
Barcelona – 3 hours 30 min.

BUS
The Burgos bus station is located in the city center on Calle Miranda nº4-6, a few steps from the Cathedral. Bus routes connect Burgos with neighboring countries (Portugal, France), with most cities in northern Spain and Madrid. In particular, the Burgos – Madrid route is serviced by ALSA. Travel time: 2 hours 45 minutes.
From here there is communication with the suburbs and cities in the province of Burgos.
There are plans to transfer bus station closer to the exit from the city - near the railway station.

AUTOMOBILE
An extensive network of government highways(La Red Nacional de Carreteras de Estado) allows you to get to Burgos from:
Madrid and Basque Country (A-1/free and AP-1/paid);
Valladolid (A-62);
Leona (A-231 – Autovia de Santiago);
Rioja (Logroño) along the N-120 highway;
Cantabria (N-623, N-627 y N-629);
Soria (N-112).

GETTING AROUND BURGOS

If you are staying in or near the historical center, the best way to explore the city is on foot.

BUS
Line 1 – connects the Gamonal district with the city center. Traffic on this route is characterized by the highest frequency. In total, there are approximately 30 bus lines in Burgos, including 2 night ones. Main hubs: Plaza de España, Soportales de Antón, Calle Vitoria 7, Avenida del Arlanzón, Calle Gran Teatro and Mio Cid Square (Plaza de Mío Cid).
In 2010, special contactless BonoBus cards appeared. In 2011, machines were installed to automatically replenish such cards at bus stops.
Since 2005, Burgos has had a system commuter service(Transporte Metropolitano), which includes 9 bus routes. They serve 51 locality. In 2011, the frequency of service on some routes was increased. It is planned to unify tickets with the city bus.

BIKE
The length of bicycle paths is approximately 100 km (the 6th city in Spain according to this indicator). At the same time, Burgos ranks first in terms of kilometers traveled per inhabitant. The most popular cycling route is Hamonal - the historical center - the university.
Bisibur.
Burgos Public Bike System. The two-wheeler is provided free of charge for a limited time. Currently there are about 20 points where you can take/leave a bicycle. The largest bicycle parking is located near the Museum of Human Evolution (MEH). To use a bicycle, pre-registration is required. Work is underway to simplify this system through the use of bank cards.
Tourists can use Bisibur by contacting a special center - Oficina de Movilidad (Plaza de España, bajos Mercado Norte) Tel. 947 28 88 00

TAXI
Official taxis are painted white and have a red diagonal stripe on the front doors. You can take a taxi at the parking lot. There is an option to pre-order a taxi by phone: +34 947 277777 or +34 947 481010.

OWN CAR
The road network of Burgos is a true motorist's dream, thanks to which there are practically no traffic jams in the city. However, finding free free parking in the center is not easy. Private parking is a convenient alternative, but at a cost. Open paid municipal parking spaces in the city center are indicated by a blue stripe. You will find a sign with tariffs, schedules and rules of use on the “ticket” machine.

TOURIST TRANSPORT in BURGOS
The tourist (excursion) train allows you to get acquainted with the historical center of Burgos. Night route demonstrates the main attractions of the city in the light of spotlights. Departure from the Cathedral. Duration: 45 min. (day) and 60 min. (evening).
Burgos Tourist Taxi (Taxi Turístico) – offers 3 route options. All excursions begin and end at Plaza de Mío Cid.
Route 1: Plaza de Mío Cid, Teatro Principal, Paseo del Espolón, Arco de Santa María, Monasterio de Las Huelgas Reales, Parque del Parral and Hospital del Rey, Catedral, Iglesia de Santa Águeda, Paseo de los Cubos, Arco de San Martín , Solar del Cid, Parque del Castillo, Iglesia de San Esteban, Arco de San Esteban, Arco de San Gil, Iglesia de San Gil, Plaza de España, Iglesia de San Lesmes y Museo de la Evolución Humana. Duration 35 minutes. Cost – 22 €.
Route 2: route no. 1 + trip to Cartuja de Miraflores. Duration 1 hour. Cost – 29 €.
Route 3: Route 1 + Cartuja de Miraflores and Monasterio de San Pedro de Cardeña. Duration 1 hour. 15 minutes. Cost – 36 €.
Order a tourist taxi: ABUTAXI: 947 277777 ATABU: 947 481010

FOOD in BURGOS

Lamb(cordero – сordero), suckling pig(cochinillo - cochinillo), blood sausage(morcilla – morcilla) and wine form the basis and pride of Burgos cuisine.
However, you should not pass by local cheeses. Connoisseurs especially note the thick stew known as "olla podrida". It contains large beans, morcilla, chorizo, ribs, and lard. This dish goes especially well on cold days.
Recommended for those with a sweet tooth "Yolks of Burgos"(Yemas de Burgos) and "Grandfather's Dessert"(Postre del abuelo) - a mixture of a local variety of soft cheese with honey.
Favorite tapeo places in Burgos are located in the vicinity of Plaza Mayor: San Lorenzo Street, Calle Sombrerería. Among the local tapas there is one with the mysterious name “Cojonuda” (la Cojonuda). But in Burgos you can also find less exotic snacks: patatas bravas (fried potatoes) or tortilla (omelet).
Although Burgos does not have its own DO (zone of controlled origin of wine), the local gastronomy is unthinkable without wine. After all, nearby are the vineyards of the famous DOs: “Ribera del Duero” and “Rioja”. Not so long ago, Arlanza was established in the province of Burgos.

HOLIDAYS OF BURGOS

Burgos is no different from other cities in Spain. Its residents love holidays and fully indulge in the festive fun. Most interesting holidays cities:

San Antonio Abad(San Antonio Abad)
Celebrated on January 17th. On this day, a folk meal is held in the Hamonal region. Food is free for everyone.
San Lesmes(San Lesmes)
Celebrated on the Sunday closest to January 30th. The holiday is dedicated to the memory of the patron saint of the city, Saint Lesme. In his earthly form, the saint was the abbot of the monastery of San Juan in Burgos.
The alcalde (city mayor) presents gifts to the statue of the saint: a candle and bread, after which the celebration moves to Plaza San Juan, where those who wish taste morcilla, chorizo, wine and eat consecrated bread.
Procession to the White Virgin(Romería de la Virgen Blanca)
In the last week of May, a solemn procession leaves the Church of San Pedro de la Fuente and heads to the esplanade of the Castle. There was a temple here where the image of the Virgin was previously kept. This church was destroyed by an explosion in 1813.
El Curpillos(El Curpillos)
Kurpilos is the most old holiday Burgos. Traditionally celebrated the day after Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi). When the main holiday was moved from Thursday to Sunday, Curpillo had to be moved as well. Now it is celebrated on one Friday in July. However, the holiday is still associated with Corpus Christi.
The second name of the holiday is Parral Day (día del Parral), associated with the place where the main holiday ceremonies take place. On this day, the famous Arabic standard "Pendon Navas de Tolosa" leaves the museum. It is carried in a solemn procession near the Huelgas Monastery. The procession to Parral is another ceremony of the holiday.
Feast of San Pedro and San Pablo(Fiestas patronales de San Pedro y San Pablo)
The main holiday of the city in honor of Saints Peter and Paul. It is celebrated on June 29. The celebration received its current status in 1873, when city authorities decided that autumn was too cold a season. Before this date, the most important event in the life of the city was the Day of the Holy Cross, which fell on September 14.
The holiday lasts a week and is accompanied by all the festive attributes: an address to the people (pregón de fiestas) and starting fireworks, dancing of giants in the city center, parades of “tadpoles” and the passage of carts in festive decorations. Every year a special commission selects the winner of the parade. On St. Peter's Day, residents bring flowers to the image of St. Mary the Elder (Santa María la Mayor). In terms of “antiquity,” this ritual is second only to a similar tradition in Valencia.
During the holiday, the International Fireworks Competition (Concurso Internacional de Fuegos Artificiales) is held in Burgos. Street performers perform performances for adults and children. Every evening there are bullfights in Coso (Coso de El Plantío). The sports town hosts dressage competitions. A special ritual of the holiday: “The Absent Resident of Burgos” (Burgalés ausente). This is the name of the procession in the White Fountains Park, in honor of the residents who left Burgos, but returned to the city during the holiday.
A nice feature of the celebrations is the tapas (Spanish snacks) fair. Restaurants and bars set up tents in the most crowded places (near the Museum of Human Evolution, the Hamonal area, the Main Square of the city).
Abbotik(El Obispillo)
Coincides with the Spanish “Day of the Naive”* (December 28). A boy from the singing school at the Burgos Cathedral is dressed up as an abbot. In this capacity he participates in various ceremonies.
*Day of the Naive (Día de los Inocentes) - analogous to April 1.
Passion/Holy Week(Semana Santa en Burgos).
16 cofradia (religious brotherhoods) take part in the celebration. The most impressive procession is the one in which the “Christ of Burgos” (Cristo de Burgos) is carried out.

It might be useful to read: