Burgos

Founded in 884 by Diego Rodríguez Porcelos, Burgos is a city that owes part of its relevance to the Way of Saint James, as merchants and artisans settled there and up to 30 hospitals were built, becoming one of the most important cities in Spain for centuries.

•  Burgos Cathedral: the cathedral is home to artistic treasures no one should miss: the Chapel of the Constables, considered to a be a cathedral within the Cathedral; the Golden staircase, inspired by the Italian Renaissance; the chapel of Santa Ana (Saint Anne); and the tomb of El Cid and his wife Jimena in the nave.     
• Royal Monastery of Las Huelgas: conceived as a royal pantheon and a retreat for women of noble and aristocratic families.
• Church of San Gil Abad: known as the second cathedral of Burgos, it is attached to the city walls. The main European artists who travelled to Burgos during the 15th and 16th centuries left their imprint in it. Among others, the chapel of “Nuestra Señora de la Buena Mañana” (“Our Lady of the Good Morning”) stands out, being a usual passage for pilgrims of the Way of Saint James.
• Cartuja de Miraflores: located just over 3 kilometres from the city centre, in the surroundings of the Fuentes Blancas Park. Its construction was instigated by queen Isabella, whose parents, John II and Isabella of Portugal, rest in a fine alabaster tomb located in the centre of the temple.
• Burgos Castle: dating from the year 884, when Diego Porcelos built a small fortress around which the city was founded.
• Museum of Human Evolution: an essential visit to discover the latest theories about the origin of our species. The stars of this permanent exhibition are a fossilised pelvis, nicknamed Elvis, the skull of Miguelón, a Homo heidelbergensis, the realistic reconstruction of the Gallery of the Hominids and a replica of HMS Beagle, the brig in which Darwin made his expedition to the Galapagos Islands leading him to formulate his theory of evolution.
• Burgos Museum: it occupies three Renaissance palaces: Miranda, Íñigo Angulo and Melgosa. In it you can take a tour through the history and art of the province of Burgos from Palaeolithic times to the present day.
• Church of San Nicolás: its humble appearance and its proximity to the Cathedral make it go unnoticed, but the spectacular main altarpiece is worth the visit. Although that is not the only treasure it holds inside: imposing tombs, paintings and a remarkable collection of Flemish tapestries.
• Church of Santa Águeda: legend has it that this is the place where El Cid swore the oath of Santa Gadea, thus compelling king Alfonso VI the Brave to swear that he was not involved in any way in the murder of his brother Sancho II the Strong, king of Castile, and which made Alfonso banish El Cid. It is a Gothic building with elements from the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. It is a simple single nave temple with a side chapel, but one of great beauty. The baptistery is undoubtedly the most beautiful and important element in it.
• Arch of Santa María: a tribute to Charles V, depicting, in addition to the emperor, the most prominent characters in the history of Burgos
• Altarpiece Museum in the Church of San Esteban: the church of San Esteban is occupied by the one-of-a-kind Altarpiece Museum, exhibiting some twenty altarpieces from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries from various towns around the province.
• CAB Caja de Burgos Art Centre: this building opened in 2003 and exhibits works by major Spanish contemporary artists. In addition, it offers an extensive programme of temporary exhibitions showcasing the latest creative trends. It is also worth the visit because of the incredible panoramic views from the flat roof.
• Army Museum: the former Palace of the Captain General, an imposing building built in 1907, currently houses the Army Museum, a permanent exhibition where all kinds of items related to the history of the Army are displayed, including a huge replica of the Castle of Burgos.
• Castle Park: a place to take a walk and discover the local fauna and flora.
• Paseo del Espolón: this promenade is named after the “espolón”, a river dam against the floods of the river Arlanzón. That is why the site was raised using different structures, so it is now safe from the frequent floods of the river.