Burgos Cathedral
Burgos Cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is the jewel of Castilian Gothic architecture and the only Spanish cathedral inscribed by UNESCO in its own right, listed in 1984. Begun in 1221 in the French Gothic manner, it grew over more than three centuries into a richly layered monument, crowned by the openwork filigree spires added in the fifteenth century and the soaring star-vaulted lantern over the crossing.
Its chapels and screens overflow with sculpture, gilding and ironwork, among them the spectacular Golden Staircase by Diego de Siloe and the famous Papamoscas, an automaton figure that opens its mouth as the hour strikes. Beneath the central crossing lie the tomb of the Castilian hero El Cid and his wife Dona Jimena, drawing visitors steeped in the legends of medieval Spain.
Still the active seat of the Archbishop of Burgos, the cathedral presides over the old city on the pilgrimage road to Santiago, where the Camino Frances passes through. Its blend of architecture, sculpture and tomb art makes it one of the supreme treasuries of Spanish religious heritage.
- Annual visitors
- ≈ 1,200,000
- Location
- 42.3408, -3.7045
- Local time
- 00:34 (Europe/Madrid)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon–Sun | 09:30–18:30 |
Summer schedule (Mar 19-Oct 31); winter closes 18:00. Closing is last admission; visitors may stay ~1 hour longer. Free entry Tuesdays 09:30-11:15.
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
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Saint Thecla Saint
Has the spectacular Churrigueresque Capilla de Santa Tecla (completed 1734).
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Saint Anne Saint
Her chapel holds Gil de Siloe's celebrated Tree of Jesse altarpiece (1486-c.1492).
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Saint Nicholas Saint
Has a dedicated chapel within the cathedral (Capilla de San Nicolas).
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Saint John of Sahagun Saint
Augustinian friar with a dedicated chapel (Capilla de San Juan de Sahagun).
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Saint Peter Saint
Carved as a jamb statue on the 13th-century Portada del Sarmental and featured in the St Anne altarpiece.
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Saint Paul Saint
Carved as a jamb statue on the Portada del Sarmental alongside St Peter.
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Saint Matthew Saint
Sculpted as an Evangelist in the tympanum of the Portada del Sarmental flanking Christ in Majesty.
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Saint Catherine Saint
Has a dedicated chapel/space (Capilla de Santa Catalina), historically the chapter space.
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Saint Jerome Saint
Associated with a dedicated chapel (Capilla de San Jeronimo) off the cloister area.
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