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Burgos Cathedral
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The first phase of construction took place between 1221 and 1293. Toward the middle of the 15th century, a set of further embellishments was made. An international team of architects and artists worked on the front spires, chapel and the choir in late Gothic style. Later on, Renaissance additions were made.
The cathedral is also the burial place of the Spanish national hero El Cid and his widow.
Visit August 2009
I had only an hour to spare before my flight back home, but thought that that would be just enough to see another cathedral. The first noticeable aspect in the area is the marvellous town gate Arco de Santa Maria. It gives entrance to the square where the cathedral is situated.
Have you been to Burgos Cathedral? Share your experiences!
The Burgos Cathedral itself is an enormous complex, built over several centuries. There was a long queue for the ticket office, so I just walked an entire round around the cathedral (quite a hike, on various levels).
When I arrived back at the entrance, the queue fortunately had gone so I did get in eventually. There are lots of chapels, each with their own kind of decoration. My favourite part of the building was the 16th century Golden Staircase.
Burgos is a town busy with tourists and pilgrims alike. The city looks pleasant enough, so to other visitors I would suggest to tour the nearby Atapuerca WHS during the day and stay overnight in Burgos.
Reviews
Jorge Sanchez (Spain):
I have visited Burgos catedral at least ten times, most of them while making on foot the Camino de Santiiago (I have made it several times). There is a pilgrims shelter nearby, so the pilgrims are lucky to live just next door to that beautiful catedral.
I still consider the catedral of Leon being still more stunning than the one in Burgos, and also the one of Sevilla. The Burgos cathedral take third place in my account (the fourth place is the catedral of Toledo).
Spanish people say that internally the best catedral in Spain is the one in Leon, but externally, without doubt, is Burgos.
Walking in the night around the old part of Burgos is a pleasure, what I always use to do when I stay in the pilgrims shelter. Date posted: July 2013 Cecilia (Irlanda):
I visited Burgos twice. The first time was 1990. I dodn“t remember too much about this trip, but what I did remember is the outside of the cathedral. I went again 2001 and I was surprised with the cathedral. It looks like amizing after the clean up.
I would suggest also to visit " El monasterio de las Huelgas" also in burgos city and Santo Domingo de silos. It is a medieval village not so far from Burgos. Date posted: July 2011 Alan Morrison-Topping (UK):
Visited as teenager in 60s by steam train, before the 'clean-up'. Quiet enough then for kids to play in the street and Spanish enough for them to think my red hair was amusing!
I remember the cathedral seemed to be hemmed in by, presumably later though still ancient, buildings and my having a great deal of difficulty in framing a pic of the facade, even with my 6x6 Rolliecord 5b! In the dusk honey/rose glow people in the streets appeared as silhouttes against the glowing stone. As you can tell, the experience never left me. Am returning in the near future for another fix Date posted: January 2010 jolina (virgin island US): 
Burgos Cathedral is one of the Spaniard historical events and places the old church that unite the people of Spain. A lot of wonders and miracle happen in this church the Catholic are the dominant religion in Spain, I love the design of the church and art.
Date posted: September 2008 ():
Burgos Cathedral is wonderful, its realy an outstanding art piece. I think it is the most beutiful building in west-europe! come to see it. phil (uk):
Burgos cathedral has now a fully restored clean stone exterior, so for the first time in a hundred years you can see what the designers intentions really meant for the viewing public.
God didn't build many like this one. Ivanna (France):
Burgos Cathedral at night is one of the most beautiful sights for me. Luminated, it looks almost magical... I also love the fact that its interior is a combination of many different architecture styles. Finally, the chaphel of Christ of Burgos is deeply serene... Claudine McClean (UK):
Burgos is a beautiful cathedral, with outstanding artwork, and it houses the tomb of El Cid. It is well worth the admission, although charging people to enter a house of God rankles. Marco Silvestri (Italy):
I've been in Burgos several time for work, and during each transfert I went back to the Cathedral, which is really a wonderful monument.
Site info
Burgos Cathedral
Country: Spain
Inscribed: 1984
Cultural Heritage
Criteria: (2) (4) (6)
Category: Religious structure, Christian
Site history:
| 1984 | Inscribed |
| Reasons for inscription | |
Site links
Official website:
»Catedral de Burgos
In the news:
Not available
Related links:
Not available
Getting there
This WHS has 1 location(s).
Connections
Architecture
Baroque . Gothic . Plateresque . Renaissance .
Constructions
Famous tapestries . Tombs .
Religion and Belief
Cathedrals . Christian Pilgrimage Sites . Legends and Folk Myths .
Timeline
Built in the 13th century .
Trivia
Exact locations inscribed twice (or more) . Located in a Former Capital . On Euro coins .
WHS Hotspots
Bilbao hotspot .
World Heritage Process
Minor modifications after inscription .