Burgos Cathedral

Burgos Cathedral, the Cathedral of Saint Mary, is the finest Gothic building in northern Spain and the monument around which the whole city is arranged. UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site in 1984. Construction began in 1221, under King Ferdinand III and Bishop Mauricio, and went on for several centuries, so the cathedral combines the French-inspired Gothic of its beginnings with later Spanish additions. The most striking feature from the outside is the pair of open-work spires on the west front, added in the fifteenth century by a craftsman from Cologne, Johannes, known in Spain as Juan de Colonia. They look like stone lace, and from the square in front they dominate the skyline.

Inside, the cathedral is a treasure house. Under the great star-shaped lantern, at the crossing of the nave and transept, lies the tomb of El Cid, the medieval warrior Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, and his wife Doña Jimena, marked by a simple slab. The Golden Staircase, the Escalera Dorada, designed by Diego de Siloé in the sixteenth century, climbs elegantly in a pair of curved flights to a side door. The Capilla del Condestable, the Constable's Chapel, built for the Velasco family, is a masterpiece of late Gothic, with an eight-pointed lantern and richly carved tombs. More than a dozen chapels and the carved choir show how much wealth and talent went into the building.

A mechanical figure known as the Papamoscas, the "flycatcher", opens its mouth and strikes a bell at the hours, which is a favourite curiosity for visitors. The cloister, with its tombs, sculpture and paintings, and a museum of religious art in the chapter rooms add to the visit. The cathedral also carries a long association with pilgrims, because Burgos is a major stage on the Camino de Santiago, and many walkers arrive here to rest and to visit the church.

Practically, the cathedral is a living church, so services are held daily and some areas close during them. Opening times vary by season, and last entry is usually before closing, so check the current schedule on the official site. Audio guides are widely used, and it helps to allow at least two hours, since there is much to see.

It suits history and architecture fans and anyone interested in medieval Spain. Nearby in the city are the Monastery of Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas, the Iglesia de San Pelayo and the Museo de la Evolución Humana, which provides a very different sort of visit.