Burgos – October 10, 2016

We hope everyone in Canada had a good Thanksgiving.  We also took a rest day and did not make any progress on the Way, but that was a coincidence.

The most important sight in Burgos is the cathedral, and it is truly impressive.  It was started in 1221 and, while it was added to and rebuilt over the following 500 years, it still retains the 13^th century Gothic character.  The typical cruciform plan has the three naves separated by really massive columns. There are statues, carvings and paintings everywhere.  In addition there are 15 side chapels, each of which “have more art than most museums”.  We spent three hours there and just touched the surface of what can be seen.  It is certainly a most impressive building and art collection.  Given that, it is more of a religious art museum than a church.  San Nicolas de Bari up the hill a few yards had much more of a church feeling.

The Evolution Museum with the display from Atapuerca is closed Mondays. Missed that one.  Guess it is Wikipedia for me to get my information.

We also took the Tiny Toy Train Tour – the senior’s train – to save our feet.  It got us to the top of the hill to overlook the city, but not much else of value.

Okay, here is a recap of that last day’s walk into Burgos.  First we left San Juan de Ortega and walked through 3.5 km of forest to Ages, and then along the valley for another 2.5 km to Atapuerca.  From there it was 1.5 km up a steep stony slope to the height, where the fall crocuses were.  Now in the above picture (from the hill in Burgos), can you see a vague scar on the hillside where there is a rock quarry?  Well we came over the hill about a km to the right. From there it is still 20 km down into to Burgos.  We walked all but the last 5 of that.  It was a long walk.  Only 20 tomorrow, I’m told.