Burgos is located to the north east of the Castilla y Leon region of Spain and lies on the River Arlanzón a few kilometers from the prehistoric World Heritage site of Atapuerca. Burgos was the capital of the unified kingdom of Castilla-Leon between the 10th and 15th centuries, with its location on the Pilgrim’s route to Santiago de Compostela and the monopoly it held over the trade of merino wool, making it a prosperous city. Modern day Burgos has a population of around 200,000 and is the capital of the province of the same name.
Burgos
Burgos has a number of historic landmarks, primarily the Cathedral of Burgos, Monasterio de las Huelgas Reales and the Cartuja of Miraflores. There’s also the relatively recent addition (2010) of the Museum of Human Evolution which is already one of the top 10 visited museums in Spain.
Burgos Cathedral
Undoubtedly the city’s main attraction is its Gothic Cathedral which dates from the 13th century and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although construction began in 1221 work continued sporadically for two hundred years with major modifications in the 15th and 16th centuries (including spires of the principal façade and Chapel of the Constable) and the 18th century when the Gothic statuary of the doors of the principal façade was also transformed.
Burgos Hotels
The Velada Burgos is a 4 star design hotel with 64 rooms and a restaurant situated in an historic building in the historic heart of Burgos.
Monasterio de las Huelgas Reales
The Monasterio de las Huelgas Reales (Monastery of the Royal Retreats) lies on the outskirts of the city about 1.5 kilometers from the centre and was founded in 1180 by king Alfonso VIII. Construction started in a pre-Gothic style although it has seen numerous additions. Its remarkable cloisters have been described as “unrivalled for beauty both of detail and design and perhaps unsurpassed by anything in its age and style in any part of Europe” (1911 Encyclopædia Britannica). There is still a community of nuns at Las Huelgas but tourist visits are possible through the the Spanish heritage organisation Patrimonio Nacional which maintains the property as a Spanish royal site.
Cartuja de Miraflores
The Carthusian monastery of Miraflores Charterhouse is sited around four kilometers from the historic city center and includes the marble mausoleum of King John II and of his wife, Isabella of Portugal.
Burgos Museum of Human Evolution
The most recent addition to the tourist map of Burgos is the Museum of Human Evolution which was opened in 2010 and founded here because of the nearby archeological UNESCO World Heritage Site site of Atapuerca located around 20 km east of the city.
Burgos Museum of Human Evolution
Burgos Transport
Burgos has an airport situated around 5 km from the city centre which has daily flights to Barcelona and some other domestic and European destinations.
The city’s railways station is located in the north-east of the city and has direct services to many Spanish cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Salamanca and Bilbao and some international services including Paris and Lisbon. High speed AVE trains will serve the city from 2015.
The bus station is right in the city centre just a hundred of meters from the Cathedral and has direct services all over Spain and to a number of European cities.
Related Links
Boutique Hotels in Castilla y León
Paradores in Castilla y León
Castilla y León Guide
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