Lying 4km (2 1/2 miles) east of the center of Burgos, this florid Gothic charterhouse was founded in 1441. King Juan II selected it as the royal tomb for himself and his queen, Isabel of Portugal. By 1494, the church was finished, its facade in a rather sober style, not suggesting the treasure trove of decoration inside. The stunning attraction of the interior is the sculptured unit in the apse, said to have been built with the first gold brought back from the New World. This is a masterpiece of design, and the faithful often stand here for an hour or two taking in its stunning beauty. It was the work of Gil de Siloé in the late 1400s. Siloé also designed the polychrome altar wood altarpiece. The remains of the king and queen lie in the white marble mausoleum designed like an eight-pointed star. The tomb's decorators gave these parents of Isabel the Catholic a fine sendoff with exuberant and flamboyant Gothic decorations such as cherubs, pinnacles, canopies, and scrolls.

Open Hours

Mon-Sat 10:15am-3pm and 4-6pm; Sun 11:30am-12:30pm, 1-3pm, and 4-6pm

Prices

 
Free admission

URL: www.cartuja.org