We propose a guided tour of Burgos Castle, whose origins are linked to the foundation of the city by Count Diego Porcelos in the 9th century.
In fact, over the centuries, this place has undergone profound transformations. The first major transformation took place during the reign of Alfonso VIII of Castile, with the participation of expert masons in the Mudejar style of the time. Subsequently, the Castilian King Henry IV undertook the second reform, mainly to embellish the building, with the aim of transforming it into a palace.
During the war between Isabella the Catholic and her niece Juana, the Beltraneja, the castle was besieged for a long time. In this conflict, the city defended the cause of Isabella and the castle that of Juana. In the end, the result of this conflict was the defeat of the fortress and the destruction of the neighbourhoods located on the upper part of the hill.
During the Modern Age it lost its former defensive function. Thus, in the 16th century, a gunpowder factory was built on the hill. It also became the site of the first artillery training school in Spain.
Later, a fire in 1736 destroyed the interior.
During the War of Independence, the French transformed the site by building a modern fortress. Unfortunately, on 13 June 1813, when they left Burgos, having lost the war, they blew it up. The explosion of the castle caused enormous damage to the historic centre.
Today only the ruins of one of the most important fortresses in Castile remain, but we recommend a guided tour of Burgos Castle. A 63.5m deep well is still preserved, which is a great work of medieval engineering. What’s more, the availability of water enabled the castle to withstand long sieges at different times in its history. The site also has a complex of underground galleries that have been interpreted by some historians as mines and counter mines.
In fact, over the centuries, this place has undergone profound transformations. The first major transformation took place during the reign of Alfonso VIII of Castile, with the participation of expert masons in the Mudejar style of the time. Subsequently, the Castilian King Henry IV undertook the second reform, mainly to embellish the building, with the aim of transforming it into a palace.
During the war between Isabella the Catholic and her niece Juana, the Beltraneja, the castle was besieged for a long time. In this conflict, the city defended the cause of Isabella and the castle that of Juana. In the end, the result of this conflict was the defeat of the fortress and the destruction of the neighbourhoods located on the upper part of the hill.
During the Modern Age it lost its former defensive function. Thus, in the 16th century, a gunpowder factory was built on the hill. It also became the site of the first artillery training school in Spain.
Later, a fire in 1736 destroyed the interior.
During the War of Independence, the French transformed the site by building a modern fortress. Unfortunately, on 13 June 1813, when they left Burgos, having lost the war, they blew it up. The explosion of the castle caused enormous damage to the historic centre.
Today only the ruins of one of the most important fortresses in Castile remain, but we recommend a guided tour of Burgos Castle. A 63.5m deep well is still preserved, which is a great work of medieval engineering. What’s more, the availability of water enabled the castle to withstand long sieges at different times in its history. The site also has a complex of underground galleries that have been interpreted by some historians as mines and counter mines.
