The Burgos Cathedral, a Gothic jewel built by love 800 years ago!

The chroniclers of the time say that the marriage between King Ferdinand III and his young and beautiful wife Beatriz de Susabia was truly happy.Although his wedding was agreed in advance and was part of a political alliance between Castilla and Germany, the two young people fell in love at first sight.In 1219, on her trip to Burgos, the German Duchess stopped in Paris and was inlet by the Notre Dame Cathedral.The Castilian lover thought that the best wedding gift for his wife would be to build the most impressive Gothic cathedral built to date.

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The Gothic temple replaced another Romanesque who had been small, as could be checked during Fernando and Beatriz's royal wedding.The Castilian king had so many resources, so good advisors and so much vision of the future that he was brought to the capital of his kingdom to several of the work masters that a few years before had raised the main cathedrals of France.

European Gothic Art Summit

With all these wicker, it is not surprising that the Cathedral of Burgos is considered one of the summits of European Gothic art, among other things for having known how to combine with harmony the French and Germanic influences with the most typical elements of Hispanic art.And therefore, it is one of those few monuments that does not leave indifferent and that everyone is able to identify a first glance.

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THE FIRST LOOK

Before penetrating inside, it is worth sitting on one of the banks or the air conditioning terraces of the diaphanous square reminiscent of the leading king of this story.From there you can contemplate one of the best perspectives of the building and enjoy the unsurpassed volume set between the towers topped by a few pointed by Chapitles, the elongated central nave, the Renaissance Cimborrio and the elegant bastial of the Sarmental.

Also before, we must admire the new and controversial bronze doors commissioned by the anniversary of the sculptor Antonio López, with the faces of God, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ, who have replaced other old and robust who give access to the temple by the square of Santa Maria.

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How to visit the cathedral

The tourist visit begins, precisely, by the door of the Sarmental, the oldest of all, considered one of the masterpieces of Spanish Gothic sculpture.Entering the cathedral is an intense and joyful aesthetic experience for the senses, because thanks to the restorations of recent years, the interior looks with all its splendor the harmonious combination of decorative elements and architectural structures, especially the funeral chapels incorporated into whatlong time.

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There is so much treasured beauty that it is not easy to focus on a single point of interest.Among the elements that should not be lost, the daring and draft Cimborrio stands out on the cruise.Under his starry Renaissance dome rest, along with those of his wife Doña Jimena, the remains of the Cid Campeador.

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Other essential enclaves

Also jewelry are the Renaissance golden ladder of Diego de Siloé and the little but magnificent Gothic chapel of Santa Ana.Going around the Golola another wonder of Spanish art is discovered: the chapel of the condestrables.In this cathedral inside the Cathedral, designed by Simón de Colonia at the end of the 15th century, they are buried, in a colorful grave of Carrara's marble, those who were powerful representatives of the king of Castile.

Cathedral Museum

Finally, you have to enjoy the treasures of the Cathedral and the Alto Cloister Museum.Among its polychrome graves and sculptures, a beautiful representation of Beatriz de Susabia and Fernando de Castilla, in which you can still appreciate all the love that united them in life can still be appreciated.

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Before leaving abroad again it is mandatory to fulfill the rite of every good tourist: listen to the hours and see the mouth of the old man's automaton.

The stone quarries

A complementary visit to the temple is to approach the quarries from which the white limestone was extracted with which this great building and other Burgos monuments were built 800 years ago.They are nestled between Hontoria de la Cantera and Cubillo del Campo, about 25 kilometers from Burgos.There are guided routes that allow you to safely visit the most representative quarries and, promptly, representations of how oxen stones were transported to the city.

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Acts for the VIII Centenary

Fireworks, parade, music recitals, concerts, immersive experiences and other events celebrate the 800th anniversary of the placement of the first stone of the Cathedral of Burgos.All the information, in: Cathedraldeburgos2021.is

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