Burgos Cathedral tour

The construction of a cathedral at Burgos was ordered by King Ferdinand III of Castile and Mauricio, the English-born Bishop of Burgos. Construction started on the site of the former Romanesque cathedral on July 20, 1221. Work began at the chevet (east end), which was completed in nine years. The high altar was consecrated in 1260, then there was a lengthy hiatus of almost 200 years before construction started up again. The cathedral was finally completed in 1567, with the addition of the lantern spire over the main crossing (which rises above a delicate openwork star vault). The architects principally responsible for its construction were a Frenchman named Enrique (who also worked on Leon Cathedral) in the 13th century and a German named John of Cologne (Juan de Colonia) in the 15th century. The latter was discovered and hired by the bishop of Burgos while attending the Council of Constance in 1417.