Burgos is a historic and vibrant city in northern Spain on El Camino de Santiago. Founded in the 9th century, Burgos was the seat of the Crown of Castile and considered to be the origin of modern Spanish. Among its notable landmarks are the Burgos Castle and Cathedral, and Casa del Cordin, where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella met with Christopher Columbus after he returned from the New World. In 1512, the Leyes de Burgos were drafted as the first laws to govern the treatment of native Americans.

Modern day Burgos is a cosmopolitan city with a remarkable cultural life. The medieval city center preserves its heritage while offering modern conveniences, entertainment and culinary options. Atapuerca, a UNESCo World Heritage Site where the earliest European hominids were discovered, is 12 miles from the city. Burgos is surrounded by the Fuentes Blancas and the Paseo de la Isla parks.

Kingdom of Spain

Spain is virtually unspoiled by modern standards, yet is the number one destination for European travelers. Its culture, folklore, and unique appreciation of celebration, chivalry, and hospitality have survived through the modernization of the 20th century, perhaps more so than any other country in Western Europe.

Spain has a rich artistic heritage. Prominent artists include Picasso, El Greco, Velazquez, Goya, Picasso, Juan Gris, Joan Miro, and Salvador Dali. Spain’s architecture ranges widely: prehistoric monuments; Roman ruins; Islamic marvels such as the Alhambra; Gothic cathedrals; castles and palaces; and Gaudi’s many works of wonder. One of the world’s greatest works of fiction is the 17th-century novel Don Quijote de la Mancha, written by Spain’s Miguel de Cervantes. Important 20th-century writers include Miguel de Unamuno, Federico Garcia Lorca, and Camilo Jose Cela (winner of the 1989 Nobel Prize for literature).

Spain is the second largest country in western Europe, after France, and has the eighth largest economy in the world. The official language is Spanish (Castilian Spanish) although other languages are spoken regionally, including Catalan, Galician and Basque.