This church is sober on the outside. The main doorway is similar to the doorway of the Cathedral’s Coronería. Three archivolts, decorated with angels and saints, frame the tympanum dedicated to Christ and the martyrdom of the titular saint.
On the other hand, the rose window has similar characteristics to that of the cathedral door of the Sarmental and conserves part of the 16th century-stained glass windows by Sebastián de Vallejo and Lázaro de Aranda.
It is the only parish church in Burgos that has a cloister and a chapterhouse, traditionally called All Saints’ Hall. In this hall, neighbourhood meetings were held to administer the large revenues that came to the parish and the neighbourhood by royal privilege. This was because fish, iron and other products had to pass through the gate of Saint Stephen and be unloaded next to the church, which charged a substantial amount. This happened from the time of Alfonso XI until well into the 19th century.
As it is located close to the castle, it has suffered serious deterioration over the centuries. The church suffered enormous damage during the conflict between Isabella the Catholic and Juana, the Beltraneja, as well as during the Peninsular War.
On the guided tour of Saint Stephen Church, you can see splendid Renaissance and Baroque altarpieces from different parts of the Diocese of Burgos. There is also a section in the choir loft dedicated to gold and silver works.
In addition, the province of Burgos has an abundant religious and cultural heritage that includes more than a thousand churches, five hundred chapels and numerous monasteries.
