Burgos: Difference between revisions

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Burgos
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City of Burgos
Flag (In details)	Coat of arms (In details)
File:Burgos, Spain location.png
Province	Burgos
Autonomous community	Castilla y León
Postal code	090xx
Coordinates - Latitude: - Longitude:	42°21' N 3º42' W
Altitude	856 m
Surface	108 km²
Distances	122 km to Valladolid 244,7 km to Madrid
Population - Total (census of 2008)	177.879 inhab.
Demonym	Burgalés/Burgalesa
Rivers	Arlanzón Vena Pico Cardeñadijo
Mayor (2003- )	Juan Carlos Aparicio (Partido Popular)
Website	www.aytoburgos.es

Burgos is a city of northern Spain, at the edge of the central plateau, with about 178.000 inhabitants in the city proper and another 15,000 in its suburbs. It is the capital of the province of Burgos. The Burgos Laws or Leyes de Burgos were promulgated there in 1512.

History

Early humans occupied sites around Burgos as early as 800,000 years ago.

When the Romans took possession of what is now the province of Burgos the site had been a Celtiberian city. In Roman times it belonged to Hispania Citerior ("Hither Spain") and then to Hispania Tarraconensis. In the fifth century the Visigoths drove back the Suebi, then the Arabs occupied almost all of Castile in the eighth century, though only for a brief period, and left little if any trace of their occupation. Alfonso III the Great, king of León reconquered it about the middle of the ninth century, and built several castles for the defence of Christendom, which was then extended through the reconquest of lost territory. The region came to be known as Castile (Latin castella), i.e. "land of castles".

Burgos was founded in 884 as an outpost of this expanding Christian frontier,^[1] when Diego Rodríguez "Porcelos", count of Castile, governed this territory with orders to promote the increase of the Christian population; with this end in view he gathered the inhabitants of the surrounding country into one fortified village, whose Visigothic name of Burgos signified consolidated walled villages (Gothic baurgs).^[2] The city began to be called Caput Castellae ("Cabeza de Castilla" or "Head of Castile"). The county (condado) of Burgos, subject to the Kings of Leon, continued to be governed by counts and was gradually extended; one of these counts, Fernán González, established his independence.^[3]

In the eleventh century the city became the see of a Catholic bishop and the capital of the Kingdom of Castile. Burgos was a major stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela^[4] and a centre of trade between the Bay of Biscay and the south, which attracted an unusually large foreign merchant population, who became part of the city oligarchy and excluded other foreigners.^[5] Throughout the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries Burgos was a favourite seat of the kings of León and Castile and a favoured burial site. The consejo or urban commune of Burgos was firmly in the hands of an oligarchic class of caballeros villanos, the "peasant knights" of Burgos, who provided the monarchs with a mounted contingent: in 1255 and 1266 royal charters granted to those citizens of Burgos who owned horses and could arm themselves relief from taxes, provided that they continue to live within the city walls^[6] The merchant oligarchy succeeded the cathedral chapter as the major purchasers of land after 1250; they carried on their mercantile business in common with municipal or royal functions and sent their sons to England and Flanders to gain experience in overseas trade. A few families within the hermandades or confraternities like the Sarracín and Bonifaz succeeded in monopolising the post of alcalde, or mayor; a special court, the alcalde del rey was first mentioned at Burgos in 1281^[7] By the reign of Alfonso X the exemption of the non-noble knights and religious corporations, combined with exorbitant gifts and grants to monasteries and private individuals, placed great stress on the economic well-being of the realm.

In the century following the conquest of Seville (1248), Burgos became a testing-ground for royal policies of increasing power against the consejo, in part by encouraging the right to appeal from the consejo to the king. In 1285 Sancho IV added a new body to the consejo which came to dominate it: the jurado in charge of collecting taxes and overseeing public works; the king reserved the right to select its members. The city perceived that danger to its autonomy came rather from an uncontrolled aristocracy during royal minorities: Burgos joined the hermandades of cities that leagued together for mutual protection in 1295 and 1315.

In the fourteenth century official royal intrusion in city affairs was perceived as a palliative against outbreaks of violence by the large excluded class of smaller merchants and artisans, on whom the tax burden fell. The alguacil was the royal official instituted to judge disagreements.

On 9 June 1345, sweeping aside the city government, Alfonso XI established direct royal rule of Burgos through the Regimiento of sixteen appointed men

In 1574 Pope Gregory XIII made its bishop an archbishop, at the request of king Philip II.

Burgos has been the scene of many wars: with the Moors, the struggles between León and Navarre, and between Castile and Aragon. In the Peninsular War against Napoleonic France, Burgos was the scene of a battle, and again in the 19th century Carlist civil wars of the Spanish succession. During the Spanish Civil War Burgos was the base of Gen. Franco's rebel Nationalist government.

Geography and Climate

At an elevation of 856m (2802'), the city of Burgos and its province have a continental Mediterranean climate, a variant of the Mediterranean climate found in the Meseta Central ("Inner Plateau") of Spain and caused by two principal factors: 1) distance from the sea and 2) higher altitude. Temperature ranges can be extreme and Burgos is much drier than Spain's coastal regions, although there is year-round precipitation. Average annual precipitation is 555mm (21.9") and the average annual relative humidity is 72%. In winter temperatures routinely drop below 0°C (32°F) and snowfalls are common, while the summer months see average daily high temperatures of approximately 26°C (78.8°F). The lowest recorded temperature in Burgos was -21°C (-5.8°F) on 20 January 1885. The highest recorded temperature was 42°C (107.6°F) on 13 August 1987.

Buildings and Monuments

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|} Burgos is rich in ancient churches and convents. The three most notable are the cathedral, with its chapel of the Condestables de Castilla, the monastery of Las Huelgas, and the Carthusian monastery of Miraflores. In addition, there are the collegiate churches of Lerma, Villadiego, Pampliega, Palenzuela, Covarrubias.Minor notable churches are: San Esteban, San Gil (Sancti Aegidii), San Pedro, San Cosme y San Damian, Santiago (Sancti Jacobi), San Lorenzo and San Lesmes (Adelelmi). The Convento de la Merced, occupied by the Jesuits, and the Hospital del Rey are also of historic and architectural interest.

Among the other interesting architectural structures, in the walls of the city are the famous gateway of Santa María, erected for the first entrance of the Emperor Charles V, and the arch of Fernán González.

Gothic Cathedral

The Gothic Cathedral at Burgos, begun in 1221, and construction spanned mainly from the 13th to 15th centuries. It was declared a World Heritage Site. The west front is flanked by towers terminating in octagonal spires covered with open stonework traceries. The middle section, which serves for an entrance, has three alabaster pilasters, the intercolumnar spaces bearing panel-pictures representing the martyrdom of saints. The façade possessed ornate and fantastic surface decoration.

The octagonal chapel of the Condestable, in florid, thus highly sculpted, Gothic design, has a roof is finished with balustraded turrets, needle-pointed pinnacles, and statues. In the lower portion, coats of arms, shields, and crouching lions have been worked into the ensemble. The exterior of the sacristy is decorated with carved traceries, figures of angels and armoured knights. The elaborate tabernacle is composed of two octagonal sections in Corinthian style.

Monasterio de las Huelgas

The Monasterio de las Huelgas Reales (Monastery of the Royal Retreats) on the outskirts of the city, was founded in 1180 by king Alfonso VIII, and was begun in a pre-Gothic style, although almost every style has been introduced over many additions. The remarkable cloisters have been described as "unrivalled for beauty both of detail and design, and perhaps unsurpassed by anything in its age and style in any part of Europe" (1911 Encyclopedia Britannica). One cloister has semi-circular arches with delicate and varied columns; the other has an ogival style of early Gothic. The interior of the church has enormous columns supporting its magnificent vault; the entrance is modern. This convent historically benefited from extraordinary privileges granted to its abbess by kings and popes.

Cartuja de Miraflores

The Carthusian monastery of Miraflores is situated about four kilometres from the historic city center. Among the treasures of the Charterhouse are the wooden statue of St. Bruno; the wooden choir stalls in the church; and the mausoleum of King John II and of his wife Isabel, constructed of the marble and with their alabaster recumbent effigies. Around the top frieze are statues of angels in miniature. The French soldiers in the War of Independence (1814) mutilated this beautiful work, cutting off some of the heads and carrying them away to France.

Sister city

The sister city of Burgos is Bruges (Belgium). Both cities want to work together especially on culture, tourism and economy.

The mayors of the Flemish Bruges and Burgos signed a treaty on 29 January 2007 in the Bruges’ city hall for future cooperation. This engagement could be seen as a prologue on the opening of the exhibition Comeliness and Madness. This exhibition on Philip the Handsome took place in the Casa del Cordón in Burgos where the monarch died. On 30 January 2007 the exhibition opened in Bruges, the city where Philip the Handsome was born and where the urn with his heart is kept in Onthaalkerk O.L.V. (the Church of Our Lady).

Finally, San Juan de los Lagos in the Mexican state of Jalisco is a sister city. Both cities sponsor and coordinate activities between both populations.

Transport

Burgos has an Airport with flights to Barcelona International Airport, Palma de Mallorca, and Paris Orly.

The city also has an international railway station, with a service to Paris. In future, the Spanish high-speed train service, the AVE, will stop at Burgos. In addition, Burgos has an international bus station located in the city centre.

Burgos has done many efforts concerning sustainable mobility, and it has won the CiViTAs City of the Year in 2007, the most important Award at European level and the Energy Globe Award in 2008 (the sustainability nobel awards) in the Air Category for the same reason. The city is the leader of the Spanish cities in terms of sustainable mobility with big efforts in city centre free of cars, free bicycle loan system or public transport 100% clean. Burgos is leading now the CiViNET Network of cities concerned sustainable mobility in Spain and Portugal.

Industry

Burgos province is famous for Queso de Burgos, a white cheese which soft and unctious (because it with with the serum of milk). Although originally made with sheep's milk, now cow's milk or mixtures are more common.Each comarca (rural district) produces a minor variation, and the major dairies produce an industrial product that is acceptable for people with sensitive digestion (it is said to promote good health if taken every day)

Burgos is blessed with a moderate climate and this fresh cheese was possible to conserve there without the need for curing for more than 10 days, due to the improvement of aseptic industrial production processes this can be been extended to about 30 days at a cool 6ºC. Its production reaches 35,000 tons annually.

Morcilla de Burgos a pigs-blood sausage is a staple country food famous across the Iberian peninsula. Spiced with onions and herbs its most noticible content is rice (often mistaken for fat by foreigners) which makes it one of the lightest and healthiest products of its kind. Oral tradition says that it must be "salty, smooth and piquant". (see Spanish pages Burgos_(desambiguación) for details)

Both products are regularly found all over Spain sliced and skewered to a slice of baguette bread as 'tapas'(small 'bar-top' treats, often served free with drinks)

Gallery

Burgos Cathedral.
Facade of the Cathedral, with the fontaine of Santa María.
The western facade of the cathedral.
Monasterio de Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas at night.
Arco de Santa María.
Facade of Arco de Santa María.
La Cartuja de Miraflores.
Church of San Esteban.
Church of San Gil Abad.
Church of La Merced.
Church of San Lorenzo el Real.
Church of San Cosme y San Damián.
Entrance of Casa del Cordón.
A window of Casa del Cordón.
Burgos Museum (Casa de Miranda).
Cloister of the Burgos Museum.
Convent of Santa Clara.
Convent of Santa Dorotea.

Notes

^ Teofilo F. Ruiz, "The Transformation of the Castilian Municipalities: The Case of Burgos 1248-1350" Past and Present 77 (November 1977, pp. 3-32), p 5.
^ Wright, Joseph, 1892, A Primer of the Gothic Language, glossary & section 182.
^ It later became the Kingdom of Castile, being sometimes united with Navarre and sometimes with Leon. In the reign of St. Ferdinand III (c. 1200-52), Leon and Castile were united, but they continued to be called respectively the Kingdom of Leon and the Kingdom of Castile until the nineteenth century.
^ The Camino de Santiago passed directly through the city, where an urban section of it was called the "French Road" (Ruiz 1977:13).
^ Ruiz 1977:10.
^ Ruiz 1977:6-9.
^ Ruis 1977:23.

Sources and external links

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help) [1]
Camino de Santiago
Ayuntamiento de Burgos
Burgos Chamber of Commerce
University of Burgos
Burgos news
Museo Militar de Burgos
Photos of Burgos

42°21′N 3°42′W / 42.350°N 3.700°W / 42.350; -3.700

[1] Teofilo F. Ruiz, "The Transformation of the Castilian Municipalities: The Case of Burgos 1248-1350" Past and Present 77 (November 1977, pp. 3-32), p 5.

[2] Wright, Joseph, 1892, A Primer of the Gothic Language, glossary & section 182.

[3] It later became the Kingdom of Castile, being sometimes united with Navarre and sometimes with Leon. In the reign of St. Ferdinand III (c. 1200-52), Leon and Castile were united, but they continued to be called respectively the Kingdom of Leon and the Kingdom of Castile until the nineteenth century.

[4] The Camino de Santiago passed directly through the city, where an urban section of it was called the "French Road" (Ruiz 1977:13).

[5] Ruiz 1977:10.

[6] Ruiz 1977:6-9.

[7] Ruis 1977:23.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 ==History==
+[[Image:Castillo de burgos exteriores.jpg|300px|thumb|right|View of Burgos Castle.]]
 [[Homo antecessor|Early humans]] occupied sites around Burgos as early as 800,000 years ago.
@@ Line 44: / Line 45: @@
 In the eleventh century the city became the see of a Catholic bishop and the capital of the [[Kingdom of Castile]]. Burgos was a major stop for pilgrims on their way to [[Santiago de Compostela]]<ref>The [[Way of St James|Camino de Santiago]] passed directly through the city, where an urban section of it was called the "French Road" (Ruiz 1977:13).</ref> and a centre of trade between the [[Bay of Biscay]] and the south, which attracted an unusually large foreign merchant population, who became part of the city oligarchy and excluded other foreigners.<ref>Ruiz 1977:10.</ref> Throughout the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries Burgos was a favourite seat of the [[Crown of Castile|kings of León and Castile]] and a favoured burial site. The ''[[consejo]]'' or [[Medieval commune|urban commune]] of Burgos was firmly in the hands of an oligarchic class of ''caballeros villanos'', the "peasant knights" of Burgos, who provided the monarchs with a mounted contingent: in 1255 and 1266 royal charters granted to those citizens of Burgos who owned horses and could arm themselves relief from taxes, provided that they continue to live within the city walls<ref>Ruiz 1977:6-9.</ref> The merchant oligarchy succeeded the cathedral chapter as the major purchasers of land after 1250; they carried on their mercantile business in common with municipal or royal functions and sent their sons to England and Flanders to gain experience in overseas trade. A few families within the ''[[hermandad]]es'' or confraternities like the Sarracín and Bonifaz succeeded in monopolising the post of ''[[alcalde]]'', or mayor; a special court, the ''alcalde del rey'' was first mentioned at Burgos in 1281<ref>Ruis 1977:23.</ref> By the reign of [[Alfonso X]] the exemption of the non-noble knights and religious corporations, combined with exorbitant gifts and grants to monasteries and private individuals, placed great stress on the economic well-being of the realm.
-In the century following the conquest of [[Seville]] (1248), Burgos became a testing-ground for royal policies of increasing power against the ''consejo'', in part by encouraging the right to appeal from the ''consejo'' to the king. In 1285 [[Sancho IV of Castile|Sancho IV]] added a new body to the ''consejo'' which came to dominate it: the ''jurado'' in charge of collecting taxes and overseeing public works; the king reserved the right to select its members. The city perceived that danger to its autonomy came rather from an uncontrolled aristocracy during royal minorities: Burgos joined the ''hermandades'' of cities that leagued together for mutual protection in 1295 and 1315. In the fourteenth century official royal intrusion in city affairs was perceived as a palliative against outbreaks of violence by the large excluded class of smaller merchants and artisans, on whom the tax burden fell. The ''[[alguacil]]'' was the royal official instituted to judge disagreements.
+In the century following the conquest of [[Seville]] (1248), Burgos became a testing-ground for royal policies of increasing power against the ''consejo'', in part by encouraging the right to appeal from the ''consejo'' to the king. In 1285 [[Sancho IV of Castile|Sancho IV]] added a new body to the ''consejo'' which came to dominate it: the ''jurado'' in charge of collecting taxes and overseeing public works; the king reserved the right to select its members. The city perceived that danger to its autonomy came rather from an uncontrolled aristocracy during royal minorities: Burgos joined the ''hermandades'' of cities that leagued together for mutual protection in 1295 and 1315. [[Image:Burgos monasterio huelgas lou.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Monasterio de Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas.]]In the fourteenth century official royal intrusion in city affairs was perceived as a palliative against outbreaks of violence by the large excluded class of smaller merchants and artisans, on whom the tax burden fell. The ''[[alguacil]]'' was the royal official instituted to judge disagreements.
 On 9 June 1345, sweeping aside the city government, [[Alfonso XI]] established direct royal rule of Burgos through the ''Regimiento'' of sixteen appointed men
@@ Line 70: / Line 71: @@
 |source=[http://www.aemet.es/es/elclima/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=2331&k=cle Agencia Estatal de Metereología, España]
 }}
-[[File: Arlanzon nevado catedral.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Arlanzon River in Burgos.]]
+[[File: Arlanzon nevado catedral.jpg|thumb|left|270px|Arlanzon River in Burgos.]]
 At an [[elevation]] of 856m (2802'), the city of Burgos and its [[Burgos (province)|province]] have a [[continental Mediterranean climate]], a variant of the [[Mediterranean climate]] found in the [[Meseta Central]] ("Inner Plateau") of Spain and caused by two principal factors: 1) distance from the sea and 2) higher altitude. Temperature ranges can be extreme and Burgos is much drier than Spain's coastal regions, although there is year-round precipitation. Average annual precipitation is 555mm (21.9") and the average annual relative humidity is 72%. In winter temperatures routinely drop below 0°C (32°F) and snowfalls are common, while the summer months see average daily high temperatures of approximately 26°C (78.8°F). The lowest recorded temperature in Burgos was -21°C (-5.8°F) on 20 January 1885. The highest recorded temperature was 42°C (107.6°F) on 13 August 1987.
@@ Line 76: / Line 77: @@
 {{wrapper}}
 |-
-|[[Image:Burgos Santa Maria Arc.jpg|thumb|[[Arco de Santa Maria]]]]
+|[[File:Burgos - Arco de Santa Maria 10.JPG|thumb|200px|Arco de Santa Maria.]]
 |-
-|[[File:Monumento al Cid (Burgos) 01.jpg|thumb|The statue of [[El Cid]]]]
+|[[File:Monumento al Cid (Burgos) 01.jpg|thumb|The statue of [[El Cid]].]]
 |-
-[[Image:Catedral de Burgos-Fernán González.JPG|thumb|rigth|150px|The [[Burgos Cathedral|cathedral]] Our Lady of Burgos]]
+[[Image:Catedral de Burgos-Fernán González.JPG|thumb|rigth|190px|The [[Burgos Cathedral|cathedral]] Our Lady of Burgos.]]
 |}
 Burgos is rich in ancient churches and convents. The three most notable are the cathedral, with its chapel of the Condestables de Castilla, the monastery of Las Huelgas, and the [[Carthusian]] monastery of Miraflores. In addition, there are the [[collegiate church|collegiate churches]] of [[Lerma]], [[Villadiego]], [[Pampliega]], [[Palenzuela]], [[Covarrubias]].Minor notable churches are: San Esteban, San Gil (Sancti Aegidii), San Pedro, San Cosme y San Damian, Santiago (Sancti Jacobi), San Lorenzo and San Lesmes (Adelelmi). The Convento de la Merced, occupied by the Jesuits, and the Hospital del Rey are also of historic and architectural interest.
@@ Line 100: / Line 101: @@
 ==Sister city==
+[[Image:San esteban y catedral.jpg|thumb|320px|left|Iglesia de San Esteban.]]
 The sister city of Burgos is [[Bruges]] ([[Belgium]]). Both cities want to work together especially on culture, tourism and economy.
@@ Line 107: / Line 109: @@
 ==Transport==
+[[Image: Batalla gamonal.jpg|thumb|150px|Gamonal Battle´s feast day.]]
 Burgos has an Airport with flights to Barcelona International Airport, Palma de Mallorca, and Paris Orly.
@@ Line 112: / Line 115: @@
 Burgos has done many efforts concerning sustainable mobility, and it has won the CiViTAs City of the Year in 2007, the most important Award at European level and the Energy Globe Award in 2008 (the sustainability nobel awards) in the Air Category for the same reason. The city is the leader of the Spanish cities in terms of sustainable mobility with big efforts in city centre free of cars, free bicycle loan system or public transport 100% clean. Burgos is leading now the CiViNET Network of cities concerned sustainable mobility in Spain and Portugal.
 == Industry==
 Burgos province is famous for Queso de Burgos, a white cheese which soft and unctious (because it with with the serum of milk). Although originally made with sheep's milk, now cow's milk or mixtures are more common.Each comarca (rural district) produces a minor variation, and the major dairies produce an industrial product that is acceptable for people with sensitive digestion (it is said to promote good health if taken every day)
+[[Image:Burgos gigantones 4.jpg|thumb|200px|right|El Curpillos´s feast day.]]
 Burgos is blessed with a moderate climate and this fresh cheese was possible to conserve there without the need for curing for more than 10 days,  due to the improvement of aseptic industrial production processes this can be been extended to about 30 days at a cool 6ºC. Its production reaches 35,000 tons annually.
@@ Line 121: / Line 126: @@
 Both products are regularly found all over Spain sliced and skewered to a slice of baguette bread as 'tapas'(small 'bar-top' treats, often served free with drinks)
+==Gallery==
+<gallery>
+Image:Burgos - Catedral 163.jpg|[[Burgos Cathedral]].
+Image:Burgos Cathedral 2005-05-30.jpg|Facade of the Cathedral, with the fontaine of Santa María.
+Image:Burgos Cathedral 01.jpg|The western facade of the cathedral.
+Image:Monasterio de Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas de Burgos de noche.jpg|Monasterio de Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas at night.
+Image:Burgos Santa Maria Arc.jpg|Arco de Santa María.
+Image:Burgos - Arco de Santa Maria 12.JPG|Facade of Arco de Santa María.
+Image:Burgos - Cartuja de Miraflores.jpg|La Cartuja de Miraflores.
+Image:San esteban 1.jpg|Church of San Esteban.
+Image:Burgos - San Gil 1.JPG|Church of San Gil Abad.
+Image:Burgos - La Merced 33.JPG|Church of La Merced.
+Image:Burgos - San Lorenzo 1.JPG|Church of San Lorenzo el Real.
+Image:Burgos - San Cosme y San Damian 01.jpg|Church of San Cosme y San Damián.
+Image:Casa del Cordón (Puerta).jpg|Entrance of Casa del Cordón.
+image:Casa del Cordón (Ventana).jpg|A window of Casa del Cordón.
+Image:Burgos - Museo de Burgos, Casa de Miranda 1.jpg|Burgos Museum (Casa de Miranda).
+Image:Burgos - Museo de Burgos, Casa de Miranda, s. XVI.jpg|Cloister of the Burgos Museum.
+Image:Burgos - Convento de Santa Clara 04.jpg|Convent of Santa Clara.
+Image:Burgos - Convento Sta Dorotea 10.JPG|Convent of Santa Dorotea.
+</gallery>
 ==See also==

Burgos: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:15, 16 August 2009

Contents

History

Geography and Climate