In the heart of the province of Burgos is located Covarrubiasa charming town that seems to transport us to bygone eras just by walking through its cobbled streets. Known for its impressive Castilian architectureCovarrubias is recognized as the cradle of Castile, where Count Fernán González founded a fortified place which became the nucleus of the Infanta of CovarrubiasThis historic city is distinguished by its Torreón de Fernán González, a unique and well-preserved medieval fortification, and by its ecclesiastical monumentssuch as the Church of Santo Tomás and the Excollegiate Church of San Cosme and San Damián, which houses the remains of Count Fernán González and the Infanta Cristina of Norway.
THE Tragic story of Infanta Kristinadied of melancholy after being separated from her homeland and arriving in Spain to marry the infant Philip of Castile, adds a layer of sadness to Covarrubias’ story. Her legacy lives on in a statue in Plaza del Rey Chindasvinto and in the Hermitage of San Olav, a modern construction that honors the Christian patron saint of Norway, promised by the child Felipe. In addition to its historical wealth, Covarrubias offers a typical Castilian gastronomywith dishes like “Olla Podrida” that reflect the local culinary tradition. The history of Covarrubias is still alive in its medieval wallswhose stones still seem to whisper the legends and tragedies of times gone by.
Covarrubias, a town of tradition
@traveltipforyou BEAUTY AND THE BEAST TOWN IN SPAIN 🫢 Covarrubias is a town 2 hours from Madrid that could have appeared in Beauty and the Beast for its beautiful cobbled streets 🪨 and traditional houses. It has only 500 inhabitants and although it is in the heart of Castilla y León it will remind you more of a French village 🇫🇷. Did you know that the only Viking church in Spain is in Covarrubias? 😱 It is called the Church of San Olav and pays homage to Princess Kristina of Norway who came to Spain to marry the child Felipe, brother of Alfonso X the Wise. Her life was short and childless, full of tragedies. 📍COVARRUBIAS, BURGOS Do you know this city?👀 Thank you @elmundoendosmochilas for taking the river 🩵 #covarrubias #castillayleón #pueblosconencanto #burgosmola #burgosespaña #spain #labellaylabestia #españa #cinematicvideo ♬ original sound – TravelTipForYou
Covarrubias has a rich history dating back to the Paleolithic, with Celtiberian remains and a Roman presence in the area. In the Middle AgesThe town flourished under the Count of Lara and the monastery of San Pedro de Arlanza, with the church of San Cosme and San Damián playing a central role since its reconstruction by Chindasvinto in the 7th century.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Covarrubias reached its splendor with the construction of the new church and the Castile Advancement Archives under Philip II. However, the population declined due to an epidemic in the 16th century and suffered a great decline in the following centuries. In the 20th century, a fire threatened the Collegiate Church, but the intervention of the neighborhood saved it.
Places of interest
The old town preserves remains of medieval ramparts and houses monuments such as the Former Collegiate Church of San Cosmas and San Damianoa 15th-century Gothic building that contains the tombs of illustrious figures, including Count Fernán González and Infanta Kristina of Norway. The cloister houses a rich collection of sacred art.
THE St. Thomas ChurchBuilt in the 15th century, it preserves Romanesque baptismal fonts and Renaissance altarpieces. The Fernán González Tower, also called Doña Urraca, is a Mozarabic work from the 10th century.
He Arch of the Advancement of CastileBuilt in 1575 under the direction of Juan de Herrera, it is an elegant wall gate that housed the archives of Castile. Among the civil buildings, the Casa de Doña Sancha stands out, a perfect example of Castilian medieval architecture.
In the city there are two beautiful 16th century transepts and, at Arrabal districtthe Jurisdictional Table, a symbol of the ancient judicial autonomy of Covarrubias. Just outside, the modern Hermitage of St. Olav tells the story of Princess Kristina of Norway and St. Olav, patron saint of Norway.
Near Covarrubias are the ruins of the Monastery of San Pedro de Arlanzaa former Benedictine monastery founded in the 10th century. The city’s natural environment, with the Arlanza Valley and surrounding juniper forests, is home to a variety of wildlife, including species of birds of prey and mammals.
Holidays
Covarrubias celebrates its patron saint festivities in late September in honor of San Cosme and San Damián. In July, it highlights the Medieval Festival and Cherry. In January, the Slaughter Festival is celebrated, with a tasting of pork products. In addition, pilgrimages to the hermitage of Nuestra Señora de Redonda and to the Virgen de los Mamblas take place in September, with the participation of neighboring villages.
