Catedral de Santa María, Burgos 
Burgos Cathedral (Spanish: Catedral de Santa María or Catedral de Burgos) is a Gothic-style cathedral in Burgos, Spain. It is notable for its vast size, magnificent Gothic architecture, and unique history.
Burgos Cathedral was added to the World Heritage List in 1984, and Frommer's Spain votes it one of Spain's best cathedrals.
History
The construction of a cathedral at Burgos was ordered by King Ferdinand III of Castile and Mauricio, the English-born Bishop of Burgos. Construction started on the site of the former Romanesque cathedral on July 20, 1221, beginning at the chevet, which was completed in nine years.
The high altar was first consecrated in 1260, then there was a lengthy hiatus of almost 200 years before construction was recommenced. The cathedral was completed in 1567, with the completion of the lantern spire over the main crossing (which rises above a delicate openwork star vault).
The architects principally responsible for its construction were a Frenchman in the 13th century and a German in the 15th century. In 1417, the bishop of Burgos attended the Council of Constance and returned with the master builder John of Cologne (Juan de Colonia), who completed the towers with spires of open stonework tracery.
 West front portal. Photo: public domain. |
In 1919 the cathedral became the burial place of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar ("El Cid"), and his wife Doña Jimena. On October 31, 1984, it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
What to See
The 15th-century façade of the west front has triple entrances framed by three-dimensional arches, a gallery enclosed by a pinnacled balustrade and a delicately-pierced rose window. Over the three doorways rise the two lofty and graceful towers, crowned with spires.
In the uppermost level of the three-storied façade are two ogival double-arched windows and statues on pedestals, crowned with a balustrade of letters carved in stone: PULCHRA ES ET DECORA ("Beautiful art Thou, and graceful"), with a statue of the Virgin Mary in the center. There are more balustrades and balconies in the towers, with further open-carved inscriptions: needle-pointed octagonal pinnacles finish the four corners.
The cathedral's cruciform floorplan is difficult to see from the outside, due to the 15 chapels added at all angles to the aisles and transepts, the beautiful 14th-century cloister on the northwest, and the archiepiscopal palace on the southwest.
The north transept portal, known as the Portada de la Coronería, has statues of the Twelve Apostles. Above, ogival windows and two spires crown the portal. On the south portal, the portada depicts the evangelists at their writing desks.
Many of the altars, chapels and monuments within the cathedral are of artistic and historical interest. The magnificent octagonal Chapel of the Condestable is of flamboyant Gothic style, filled with traceries, knights and angels and heraldry.
Location Map
Location map of Burgos in Spain. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around.
More Information
- Burgos Cathedral - UNESCO World Heritage List
Source: Wikipedia under GFDL.
