Burgos

Burgos was founded in 884 and its historical value is very attractive to tourists. Burgos is a monumental city with typical medieval atmosphere.

The Gothic Cathedral of Burgos is dominant in the city, but there are other important monuments such as Cartuja de Miraflores and the monastery Las Huelgas.

Burgos is quiet and clean and boasts exquisite cuisine. In its vicinity there are many villages with many historical and artistic values. Burgos is the historic capital of Castile, Spain. It is situated on the edge of the central plateau. The population is 178, 966 inhabitants.

Burgos is the capital of the province of Burgos in the autonomous region of Castile. The city has many historical landmarks. Among them is the museum of human evolution.

Even 800 000 years ago, in the area of today’s Burgos, prehistoric people lived. When the Romans conquered the area, where today the province of Burgos is, they founded the city Celtiberian.

In the fifth century Visigoths conquered the area, which called it Suebi, but in the eighth century the Arabs took over almost all of Castile, but for a short period of time. In the ninth century were built fortresses to protect the Christian world. The area became known as Castile, which translates as the land of castles.

Burgos was founded as an outpost of the expanding Christian boundaries. The city was called Capua Castellae.

In the eleventh century the town was under the command of a Catholic bishop and became the capital of the Kingdom of Castile. Burgos is an important stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago De Compostella and became the center of trade.

In the thirteenth century Burgos became a favorite place of the kings of Castile and is among the favorite places for the burial of the Spanish aristocracy.

In the thirteenth century, by royal warrant, the citizens of Burgos, who had horses were given land and received a tax exemption if they agree to live in the city onwards.

In 1285 King Sancho IV adds a new management body - jurado, responsible for tax collection.

In June 1345 King Alfonso XI swept the city and established direct royal control of Burgos through sixteen specially selected men.

In Burgos many battles are played out - with the Moors, between Castile and Aragon. During the Spanish Civil War, Burgos was the basis of the rebel Nationalist government of General Franco.