Burgos Cathedral is one of the most famous places of worship in Spain, extremely popular among tourists. It is located in the province of Burgos, is the cathedral for the diocese of the same name. We will tell about its architecture, features and sights in this article.
History
Burgos Cathedral began to be built in 1221. It was originally planned that it would be one of the main and most famous attractions in all of Castile. Its construction was completed in the 15th-16th centuries, when the spiers of the chapel and facade were added. The cathedral is considered one of the most striking monuments of Spanish Gothic. The huge arcade has become a hallmark of places of worship throughout the Hispanic world, with particular popularity in South America.
The decree on the construction of the Burgos Cathedral in Spain was signed by the King of Castile Ferdinand III. The construction of the religious building began on the site of the Romanesque cathedral that once existed here. In 1260, the altar was consecrated, and then for two centuries no construction work was carried out, although Burgos Cathedral was never finished.
The official year of completion is 1567, when the spire over the main ceiling was completed. Most of the main facade of the Burgos Cathedral was built in the XIII century. It was oriented to the west and dedicated to Our Lady. The oldest facade has been preserved from the 1230s. It has a sculpture of Jesus Christ surrounded by angels and apostles.
Eastern apses were built in the XV-XVI centuries, during the Renaissance. In one of them there is a chapel in which representatives of the noble Spanish Velasco family, who were of Basque origin, are buried.
Tomb of the national hero
In 1919, on the territory of the Burgos Cathedral in Burgos (Spain), a famous Spanish hero named Cid Campeador was buried with his wife, Dona Jimena. This is a prominent political and military figure, a Castilian nobleman who lived in the 11th century. He became the hero of many folk poems, legends, dramas and romances, in particular the famous tragedy of Corneille "Sid".
In 1984 UNESCO declared the cathedral a World Heritage Site. An interesting fact about the Burgos Cathedral is that in 2012 a two-euro commemorative coin was issued, on which it was depicted. Its circulation was eight million copies.
Cid's Sword
One of the main relics of the cathedral - Tison. This is a sword that supposedly belonged to that same Sid. It is mentioned in the famous monument of the Spanishliterature called "The Song of My Sid". This is a heroic epic whose author is unknown. It is now officially considered a national treasure of Spain.
According to legend, Tisona was won by Cid from the Moorish ruler Bukar, whom he killed in battle. Over time, Cid gave it, along with his other sword and various offerings, as a dowry to two brothers who married his daughters. Then he found out that the Infantes had betrayed him, outraged the girls and appropriated their dowry. He went to the royal court for the return of the swords and received them back.
Immediately after that, he handed Tison over to a nephew named Pedro Bermudez, who challenged one of the brothers to a duel to defend the honor of Cid's daughter. Another close associate of Sid, Martin Antolines, challenged his second brother, Diego Gonzalez, with the Colada sword.
Further from the text of the song it becomes known about the mystical properties of these swords. The brothers themselves were in superstitious fear of this weapon. They ask that rivals not use them in battle, but King Alfonso does not grant this request. The brothers fail.
The fate of medieval weapons
After Sid's death, the weapons ended up with the ancestors of King Ferdinand II. At the beginning of the 16th century, it was granted to the Marquis de Falses. His faithful service to the country was noted. It is believed that he could choose absolutely any gift, but preferred the sword to palaces and lands. It was believed that this is the most valuable relic of his family, which is why it has survived to this day. In 1944 the sword was put upin the Royal Military Museum in the Spanish capital, where he remained until 2007. After that, its legal owner del Otero sold it for two million dollars to the authorities of Castile. The authorities decided to place him in Burgos, where he remains today next to Sid's grave.
Some experts suspect that the sword is a late forgery that was made in the 16th century. According to the results of chemical analysis, it was possible to establish that the hilt really appeared in the Middle Ages, but the blade was really made at the time when Sid lived.
It is noteworthy that Sid's chest is also kept in the temple. Legend has it that a knight filled it with sand in an attempt to defraud Jewish moneylenders.
Interior
In the description of the Burgos Cathedral in Burgos (Spain), the interior plays an important role. It is really grandiose, since most of the premises were built during the Baroque and Renaissance in the XIV-XVII centuries. That is why you can find so many magnificent stone carvings, gilding, sculptures, altars and other treasures here.
For example, the central nave features an imposing 16th-century retablo, while the choir fence features elaborately carved gospel and biblical scenes.
A gilded staircase has survived to this day near the northern doors. And above the eastern entrance to the cathedral there was a clock with moving figures of pamoskas.
Architecture
Description of the architecture of the Burgos Cathedral should be given increased attention. The most valuable is the western façade, which has remained unchanged since the 15th century.
Many famous Spanish artists and architects took part in the construction of this religious building. The main reference point for them was the French cathedrals of that time, with which they were well acquainted. As a result, the Gothic building inherited many features characteristic of the cathedrals of Paris and Reims. But its original spiers are more reminiscent of German traditional architecture.
In the lower tier of the facade there are as many as three lancet arches, the central one is the entrance to the building. Directly above it is a huge rose window.
On the third floor there is a famous gallery with a statue of the kings of Castile, as well as a sculpture of Our Lady and Child. The facade is crowned with two pointed towers with spiers.
Attractions in the area
If you are already in Burgos, then it is worth visiting other sights located nearby.
In the immediate vicinity is the original medieval castle, a few kilometers from the cathedral you will find a chic palace complex.
Attention also deserves a natural park, laid out in the neighborhood, where you can walk all day. It is worth getting acquainted with the local regional cuisine in one of the restaurants of Burgos, which are numerous in the historical part of the city.
