Burgos, is the medieval city of El Cid, history, residence of nobles, and the court of kings and queens. All these attributes and much more are what define this great Spanish city founded in 884 by the Count Diego de Porcelos. It is also a city guarded by a castle, which has been almost perfectly preserved on the hill San Miguel. If you aren’t interested in the castle (and even if you are), we suggest you take advantage of this free tour of Burgos.
The free tour of Burgos begins at one of the most important spots in the city: the Plaza del Rey San Fernando, along with its sculpture of the pilgrim. The plaza was named for the king, precursor to the construction of the cathedral in 1221.
The imposing Catedral de Burgos can be found in the same square. Dedicated to Santa María la Mayor, the cathedral still remains in its original French Gothic style. However, the building has gone through many changes and expansions throughout the centuries. Because of this, it displays various styles, both in its interior and on its exterior. On October 31st, 1984, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Following the Camino de Santiago, the free tour of Burgos brings us to the Iglesia de San Nicolás, which lies on Fernán González street next to the cathedral, which was declared a national heritage site in 1917. You can see its grandiose Renaissance altarpiece, created by Simón de Colonia in the 15th century.
In the center of the city, you’ll find the Plaza Mayor, the old Plaza del Mercado and the seat of the current town hall. From here, we follow the Paseo del Espolón, one of the most emblematic of the city, to the Arco de Santa María. It was built in the 15th century, but it was remodeled in the 16th into the image that we know today. This monument was one of the 12 entrances into the city in the Middle Ages, and it makes an appearance in the Poema del Mío Cid.
After walking past the Teatro Principal, the tour brings us to the Casa del Cordón, or the Palacio de los Condestables de Castilla. The palace was built in the Gothic style in the 15th century by Simón de Colonia, the same architect who did the Iglesia de San Nicolás, and his father, Juan. The building currently houses a cultural center and a bank.
This free tour of Burgos will give you an image of the history of the legendary city, and it explains every detail and nuance of all the places you visit. By the time it’s over, you’ll want to stick around and learn even more.
Want to Join the Free Tour of Burgos?
This tour is available on Fridays and Saturdays at 18:30. It lasts an hour and 50 minutes, and, as we have mentioned, it is completely free.
