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The construction of the Cathedral was began in 1221 ,commissioned
by Alfonso VI the Saint, King of Castile, and the bishop
of Burgos, Mauricio. It was not completed until 1765. The
construction of the Cathedral was began in 1221 ,commissioned
by Alfonso VI the Saint, King of Castile, and the bishop
of Burgos, Mauricio. It was not completed until 1765.
The Gothic style predominates, but there are also some features
of other artistic tendencies that harmonize with the construction.
It has a cross-shaped ground plan, with three naves and
an ambulatory. Its interior houses 14 chapels, built between
the 13 and 18 C; and 4 from the 14-16 C that open to the
high cloisters. The nave is closed by a large grill that
divides it into the High Altar, the Choir and the Transept
Crossing.
The Cathedral houses many artistic
treasures, such as sculptures, tombs, wrought irons...But
the most outstanding works in the Cathedral are: the Renaissance
retable in the high altar, Bishop Mauricio´s tomb,
the carved choir stalls, the Christ of Burgos, the Cid´s
case and the tombs of Cid and his wife, Doña Jimena,
the museum included in the Cloisters, the Romanesque tomb
of Mudarra, the revengful stepbrother of the seven infants
of Lara, a letter of Cid, a bible dating back to the 9 C.
This magnificent monument is famous
for its doorways. The Santa María or Real or del
Perdón is the main entrance. It was completed in
the middle of the 13 C, but had to be rebuilt in the 18
C. Most of the Gothic ornamentation disappeared. The Sarmental
doorway was built around 1230. It is a remarkable example
of Spanish Gothic sculpture. The Pellejería or Corralejo
doorway was commissioned in 1516 in order to connect the
temple with the Pellejería district. It was built
in the Renaissance style, but there are still a few features
of the waning Gothic style. And finally the Coronería
or Cordelería Alta or de los Apóstoles doorway,
dated to 1259. On the spandrel is represented the scene
of the Final Judgement, with Christ in his throne sorrounded
by the Virgins and San Juan Bautista. On the low part is
a representation of San Miguel weighing souls and separating
the saved ones from those condemned to hell.
The majestic cupola should also be
noted. Built in the 16 C, it has eight sides and two floors.
The structure is stands on four solid piers crowned by four
spectacular fleches. The main façade was inspired
by the pure French Gothic style, that of the Paris and Reims
Cathedrals.
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