Day 15. Continued sightseeing in Burgos

Cathedral of Santa Maria. Amazing.The individual   tours  have you listening to a  phone that discussed key points of interest in your native language. You are self guided.  

This central art of the cathedral collapsed and came crashing down in the 1500s. It didn't last long after it was built. The architects made revisions to their plans and rebuilt it. This structure of the 8 point star represents God and has stood for over 500 years.   WOW. 

Tombs are made in each chapel to honor the rich people who paid for or commissioned the construction. I always thought that the statues looked like the deceased, but many times the artist carved in marble to represent traits of the person years after they had passed on. (I.e.better looking than real life). Their mortal remains are in the tomb--never opened. 

Charles Heston posed for this painting. 

Another ceiling. The gothic style of cathedral changed to include Baroque as revisions were done due to deteriorating stone work.       

The Golden Staircase to the pulpit. Became the model for many opera houses. 

Monastery 

Today we had a beautiful day of sight seeing. We walked 3 miles round trip to see a medieval monastery called Monasterio de Las Huelgas. The organization of the tour was a disappointment. The guidebook had recommended it as "fascinating". It was founded in 1187. We paid our 7€ each for a tour and was told to join the main group. A security guard followed our tour group.  Two security guards wandered the main courtyard. No inside or outside pictures were allowed. It seemed a bit harsh for a monastery. I was not feeling the Zen. 

The tour was entirely in Spanish even though 30% of the group were English speaking. There was only one educational poster printed in English in the museum near the fabrics display. but none in the monastery.  The nice tour guide attempted twice to speak to us in English but said it was too difficult. We did not expect a live tour but a few billboards in English would have been nice. It lasted about an hour --45 minutes too long.  

The best part was at the end of the tour when they led us to a museum of medieval clothes and fabrics. These clothes of royalty were found in 1944 when scientists opened the tombs in the monastery.  Ashes and clothing were found In near perfect condition. These woven fabrics have survived since the 1200s. Beautiful shoes, dresses, bishop's robes, jewelry, etc were on display under glass. We had never seen actual medieval clothes, only replications, so that was fascinating!  Sorry...no pictures allowed. The PoPo was watching me. ( fountain at monastery )

The Burgos cathedral of Santa Maria is an outstanding gothic style built in the 13th.Century. But it had been  rebuild constantly for repairs and renovations. All paid for by rich bishops, archbishops, lords and lady's that want to be entombed in the cathedral with their family owning a private Chapel. There are 21 chapels attached to the main cathedral. It's huge display of the beautiful artwork, walnut carving, reliefs, & painting. Gild work in gold takes your breathe away. It was designated a World.   Heritage Site. 

I'm feeling much better so tomorrow we will take the train to Leon.