NH Palacio da la Merced Hotel Burgos

Camino de Santiago - The way of St. James

by Beach_dog

A 800 km route across the north of Spain, running from France to Santiago de Compostella in Galicia. It was the route for pilgrims in the middle ages who travelled from throughout Europe to pay tribute to the saint (Spains patron saint) at the cathedral of Santiago de Compostella.

It is still a popular route today for walkers, cyclists and horseriders, who traverse the north of Spain for religious reasons or just to enjoy the spectacular scenery, churches monasteries, towns and cities along the route. The lazier or those who cannot afford the time, even do it by car, as the walking time is about 6 to 8 weeks.

The route passes through the city of Burgos, visiting its cathedral and churches. The whole route is marked with a scallop shell symbol (see photo), like the one I spotted near the Arco San Martin, I saw others in the center near the cathedral.

For more information on the Camino de Santiago.

The Arco de Santa Maria.

by Beach_dog

Built in the style of a medievel castle, elements for its design have been heavily influenced by other castles from the region.

This arch was one of twelve of the original gates in the walls of the medieval city of Burgos. It was rebuilt in the 16th century and features statues of Carlos V of Spain and other figures of significance in the cities history. It is a surprising and impressive structure. I have added more photos of it in my last travelogue.

Casa del Cordon

by breughel

At about 500 m eastwards from the cathedral stands on the quiet plaza de la Libertad a small palace dating from the 15th c. It was built for the constables of Castile don Pedro Fernandez de Velasco (coat of arms on the left) and his wife Dona Mencia de Mendoza y Figueroa (blazon on the right), by the architect Simon de Colonia (son of the cathedral architect).

Surprising is the Grand Cordon (cord) symbol of the Franciscan monks order decorating the main door.
A cord or a chain at the door of a house in Spain shows that a King slept in that house.

Indeed many Kings and Queens stayed in this home.
First the Reyes Catholicos Ferdinand and Isabel. They received here in 1497 Christopher Columbus on his return from his second journey to America.
Tragic was the death here in 1506 of Philip the Handsome (son of emperor Maximilian of Austria) who had married Juana, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabel, later called Juana La Loca (Joanna the Mad) after she did not recover from the loss of her husband. She was the mother of the future Emperor Charles V who also stayed several times at the Casa del Cordon.

This rather sober building has a quite interesting history especially when reading about Juana La Loca with her passionate jealousy and constant suspicion of her husband Philip the Handsome. As Duke of Burgundy he had to stay most in Flanders.
Although insane, Joanna became heiress of the Spanish kingdoms after the death of her mother and elder sisters and brothers so that a Habsburg Charles V, born himself in Flanders, became emperor and king of Spain something her father Ferdinand of Aragon did'nt like.

King Philip II also stayed here. The last Spanish king was Philip V.
The Casa del Cordon served also as prison for Francois I, King of France, held here as a prisoner after the battle of Pavia in 1525.

In the 18th and 19th c. the building got damaged. Several restorations followed in the 20th c. The present aspect with a bank and cultural centre dates from the 1980s.

24/12/2004

by madregus

"(caput castellae)"

Burgos is a beautiful city in the north of Spain. It is about 800 m. over the sea level and it is one of the coldest cities in Spain (in the wintertime it can reach -8ºC). It has a population of ca. 160.000 inhabitants.
Burgos is known for its cathedral, one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in the world.

"Christmas time!"

We had "some" snow on 24th december. Very typical Christmas!