Burgos

Burgos, formerly the capital of the kingdom of Old Castile, Spain, and now the chief town of the province which bears its name, stands on a hill above the river Arlanzon at a distance of seventy-five miles from Madrid. The city cannot be traced back in history beyond the ninth century, when a castle was built here to resist Moorish encroachments, and a prosperous settlement gathered round it. For a time it was the residence of the sovereigns, and sank much in importance after the fifteenth century, the Court being established at Madrid. In 1808 the Spaniards were defeated under its walls by Soult, and in 1813 it was taken by Wellington, after an unsuccessful attempt in the previous year. In the old quarters are many interesting specimens of street architecture; whilst the modern suburbs beyond the river and on an island in mid-stream are pleasantly laid out with promenades and gardens. The cathedral, began by Bishop Maurice, an Englishman, in 1221, and finished in 1567, is a notable example of the florid Gothic style. The fine town hall contains the bones of the Cid and his wife. Among other remarkable structures are the palace of Velasco, the Doric arch of Fernando Gonzalez, the church of St. Paul, and the majestic gate of Santa Maria. Burgos is the seat of an archbishopric, the headquarters of a strong military force, and the legal centre of a large district. It possesses seven great hospitals, several convents, important schools, of which the institute superior is the chief, and considerable manufactories of linen, woollen, and leather goods, as well as of paper, stockings and hats. The markets are abundantly supplied by a wide agricultural area.