BURGOS, LAND OF THE CID

Burgos (Castille and Léon), FOUNDED in 884 on the banks of the Rio Arlanzon, was the capitol of the Kingdom of Castille and Leon for several centuries. The town grew between the 15th and 16th centuries because of a booming textile trade, which ensured the town's prosperity.

This economic boom allowed the town to develop and to construct an impressive number of exceptional monuments and buildings: the las Huelgas monastery and the doors to the former walls to the city of "arco de Santa Maria", etc.
Burgos is pleasant but low key, with little going on at night. The many businesses, located under the arcades of the old town, the bars and restaurants around the cathedral, but most of all, the many parks and gardens along the banks of the Arlazon provide wonderful scenery for a walking tour of the city.

Burgos is well known for its cathedral. In fact, it is the third largest cathedral in Spain, (84m long and 60m wide). The construction of this masterpiece of gothic art began in 1221 and continued on for three centuries. You'll be amazed by its facade and the finely worked floral decoration of its two spires.

The arches on the Sarmental door represent the heavenly kingdom. Inside, there is an elegant, renaissance staircase called the "l escalera Dorada". Don't forget to get a look at the recumbent statue of the constable of Castille and his wife. Underneath the transept with its magnificent star-covered cupola, you will find the tombstone of El Cid and Chimena.

EL CID, EL CAMPEADOR

El Cid Campeador, the legendary hero was named Rodrigo Diaz. Born in 1043 in Vivar, he fought with the Moors who gave him his name "sidi", which means lord in Arabic. In 1094, he conquered the town of Valencia, but this time he was fighting for Christian forces. He served as governor of Valencia until the day he died. His body and that of his wife, Chimena, lie in the Burgos cathedral.
His exploits made their mark on the history of Castille and inspired Corneille to write his famous work about the hero.