Due to the great wealth that Burgos Cathedral treasures, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1984.
Construction began in 1221 and its founders were King Ferdinand III “The Saint” and Bishop Don Mauricio.
It is considered the first Gothic cathedral in Spain and one of the richest.
INSIDE THE CATHEDRAL
The interior houses impressive chapels from the 13th to 18th centuries where we can admire different architectural styles.
Above all, the Chapel of the Constables (15th-16th centuries) stands out, which looks like a small cathedral inside the cathedral.
The Cathedral also has a splendid 16th-century dome built by Juan de Vallejo following the plans of Juan de Langrés.
Also of note is the Golden Staircase by Diego de Siloé, a masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance.
Another of the places through which the guided tour of Santa María Cathedral passes is the Cloister, which was built in the 13th-14th centuries.
The Cathedral Museum also has a splendid collection of paintings, as well as Flemish tapestries and gold and silver works.
Since 1921, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, the Cid Campeador, and his wife Doña Jimena are buried in the transept of the Cathedral.
Even the document “Carta de Arras” that Rodrigo gave to Doña Jimena at the time of their marriage and the famous chest of the Cid are preserved in the Burgos Cathedral.
As a curiosity we have to mention the Papamoscas, a character from a 16th century clock, who opens and closes his mouth every hour.
THE CATHEDRAL FROM OUTSIDE
The exterior of the Cathedral shows the influence of the French Gothic style of the Cathedrals of Paris, Reims and Amiens, as the first architects came from the neighbouring country.
The Gothic Sarmental and Coronería doorways are also noteworthy, along with the 16th-century Pellejería doorway.
The magnificent openwork spires of the towers of the main façade, built in the 15th century by Juan de Colonia, are also outstanding.
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