Burgos: A Walk Through Its History And Its Most Beautiful Corners

Brief history of Burgos

It was founded in 884 by Count Diego Rodríguez Porcelos  under the mandate of King Alfonso III. The king wanted to establish a fortified and walled city to stop the attacks of the Serracens. For this he chose the hill of San Miguel, located next to the Arlazón river, where the Parque del Castillo is currently located. This crossroads of main routes, of roads of the time and in the middle of the Camino de Santiago, made Burgos grow rapidly.

In the 10th century, this was already a great city of Castile, so much so that it became, intermittently, the capital of the Crown of Castile, from 1230 until the reign of the Catholic Monarchs.

In 1512 the Laws of Burgos were enacted. These were the first laws that were applied in America by the Spanish monarchy  at the time of the conquest. Given its importance, it was the capital of the old historical region of Castilla la Vieja, and the first provisional capital of the autonomous community of Castilla y León.

What to see in Burgos

Burgos cathedral

In addition to being a World Heritage Site, this impressive Gothic temple is the image of the city and one of its greatest attractions. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and although its Gothic façade is beautiful, its interior is even more so.

Inside , the Golden Stairs, the dome of the transept, the Chapel of the Constable, the Holy Christ of Burgos, the tomb of the Cid Campeador and his wife Jimena and some other attractions that are in each corner of the temple stand out.

Don’t forget to look for the Flycatcher, a figure perched high on the cathedral wall  that opens and closes its mouth to mark the hours on the dot, while ringing the bell.

Arch and bridge of Santa María

This beautiful old pedestrian bridge is located very close to the cathedral and provides access to what was the main gate of the old walled city, the arch of Santa María.

However, it is not the only entry that is preserved of the twelve that once existed, but it is the most beautiful. There we will find statues that represent Emperor Charles V with the most representative figures in the history of the city. It currently houses cultural exhibitions.

Paseo del Espolón

This is one of the postcards of Burgos. It is a lovely walk, full of intertwined banana trees. Altogether you can find many details and places to enjoy such as the statues of the four kings, the Main Theater, the Diputación, the Templete, the Casa Consulado del Mar, old shops, beautiful ponds and the Arco de Santa María itself.

Main Square

It is the nerve center of the city of Burgos, a large square from where you can admire the town hall building, from the 17th century, and other centuries-old buildings with arcaded facades and traditional shops.

Bridge of San Pablo and statue of the Cid Campeador

On this beautiful bridge, we can find statues of important characters related to the Cid Campeador. Crossing it is the Plaza del Mío Cid, which has in the center a bronze equestrian statue of this character, inaugurated in 1955. Historically, this set represents the exile of this important figure in Burgos.

Viewpoint of the castle and its ruins

If you want to have one of the most beautiful views of the city, you must climb to the top of Cerro San Miguel through one of its entrances and reach the viewpoint. You can also see the remains of the fortress destroyed by the French in the early 19th century. The Castle Park is a great natural space in the middle of the city with forests, beautiful walks and the best panoramic views.