The Burgos Cathedral – Is it worth it?

A Monument well worth Visiting

Last year I had the pleasure of visiting Burgos Cathedral during my 1-day stay in Burgos.

Burgos was an important city in the medieval time and home to king sancho but more importantly THE spanish national hero and folklore hero Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, known as El Cid Campeador. The Burgos Cathedral is not only a UNESCO World Heritage, but also the final resting place of El Cid ans his wife Doña Jimena. So I could not miss that. The cathedral is easily accessible and right in the middle of the old-town of burgos.

Stepping into the cathedral, I was immediately struck by its incredible size. The Gothic architecture somehow gave me a sense of tranquility. Exploring the cathedral’s chapels and altars, I couldn’t help but admire the attention to detail evident in every corner – what a craftmansship. Each piece seemed to have its own story to tell, a testament to the centuries. As most monuments in spain you have an audio-guide accessible for free, which will give you input on various languages.

Construction on the Cathedral began in 1221 and was completed in 1567. It is a comprehensive example of the evolution of Gothic style, with the entire history of Gothic art exhibited in its superb architecture and unique collection of art, including paintings, choir stalls, reredos, tombs, and stained-glass windows.

Climbing to the rooftop was not possible on the day i was in Burgos, due to construction works. But you surely get to see panoramic views of Burgos and its surrounding landscape.

As for the entrance fee, while some may balk at the idea of paying to enter a place of worship, I found it to be a small price to pay for this experience. Not only does it help support the ongoing preservation efforts, but it also ensures that future generations can continue to enjoy this cultural treasure. I payed 10 Euros for the Basic entrance – It is also possible to climb the tower/rooftop for an additional fee. When I am in Burgos again I will defenitely do this as well.

In conclusion, my first visit to Burgos Cathedral was a memorable experience that left a lasting impression on me. So if you ever find yourself in Burgos, I encourage you to take a moment to step inside and discover this great monument. You can easily spent 2 hours in there. On your way out you will find a beautiful take-away store where i got a copy of the merriage-certificate of el cid and jimena and some burgos chocolate.

My highlight was defenitely the whole architecture and the coffin, paintings and eventually the big gravestone of El Cid and Jimena.

So long sentence short; Does the Burgos Cathedral worth a visit? – Short answer; DEFENITELY. Here are a couple of cellphone pictures I took on my trip.