Marina HS Chamber Choir presents recital at Burgos Cathedral on Wednesday, April 11

Have you heard of Burgos before? Probably not, however we are sure this small town that the Marina HS travelers will visit en route from Bilbao to Oviedo on April 11 will remain in your memories for a long time. 
Founded in the 9th century, this Gothic city in the Arlanzón River valley lives up to its reputation as the "cradle of Castile". Just as the Tuscans are credited with speaking the most perfect Italian, the citizens of Burgos, with their distinctive lisp ("El Theed" for "El Cid"), supposedly speak the most eloquent Castilian.El Cid Campeador, Spain's greatest national hero, immortalized in the epic El Cantar de Mío Cid, is forever linked to Burgos. He was born near here and his remains lie in the city's grand cathedral.

Like all the great cities of Old Castile, Burgos declined seriously in the 16th century, only to be revived later. One if not the major site in Burgos is the Catedral de Santa Maria, and you will not only be visiting this amazing monument, but the Marina High School Chamber Choir has also been granted permission to present a recital. 

Begun in 1221, this cathedral was one of the most celebrated in Europe. Built in diverse styles, predominantly flamboyant Gothic, it took 300 years to complete. Ornamented 15th-century bell towers flank the three main doorways by John of Cologne. The 16th-century Chapel of Condestable, behind the main altar, is one of the best examples of Isabelline-Gothic architecture, richly decorated with heraldic emblems, a sculptured filigree doorway, figures of apostles and saints, balconies, and an eight-sided star stained-glass window.

Equally elegant are the two-story 14th-century cloisters, filled with fine Spanish Gothic sculpture. The cathedral's tapestries, including a well-known Gobelin, are rich in detail. In one of the chapels you'll see an old chest linked to the legend of El Cid -- it was filled with gravel and used as collateral by the warrior to trick moneylenders. The remains of El Cid himself, together with those of his wife, Doña Ximena, lie under Santa María's octagonal lanternlike dome. Finally, you might want to see the elaborate 16th-century Stairway of Gold in the north transept, the work of Diego de Siloé.
For more information, visit the Burgos Cathedral website.