The Cathedrals of Northern Spain / Their History and Their Architecture; Together with Much of Interest Concerning the Bishops, Rulers and Other Personages Identified with Them

by Charles Rudy

BURGOS

• See dedicated to the Holy Mary and Son.
• Bishopric erected, 1075; archbishopric, 1085.
• First bishop, Don Simón; first archbishop, Gomez II.
• Present cathedral begun, 1221.
• First holy mass celebrated in altar-chapel, 1230.
• Building terminated 300 years later (1521).
• XIIIth-XIVth century Spanish ogival.
• Length (excluding Chapel of Condestable), 273 feet.
• Length of transept, 195 feet; width, 32 feet.
• Height of lantern crowning croisée, 162 feet.
• Height of western front, 47 feet.[{371}]
• Height of towers, 273 feet; width at base, 19 feet.
• Width of nave, 31 feet; of aisles, 19 feet.
• Chief attractions: The ensemble, interior decoration, lantern on croisée, the Chapel of the Condestable, choir, high altar, etc. (With that of Toledo, the richest cathedral in Spain.)