5/5 Malcolm H. 1 year ago on Google
The
Monastery,
which
still
houses
some
enclosed
nuns,
is
located
close
to
the
University
area
of
Burgos.
As
well
as
its
intrinsic
architectural
interest,
the
monastery
houses
the
graves
of
Alfonso
VIII
of
Castile
and
his
wife
Leonor
Plantagenet,
daughter
of
Eleanor
of
Aquitaine,
sister
to
Richard
the
Lionheart
and
John
Lackland.
Alfonso
led
a
coalition
of
Christian
kingdoms
to
victory
over
the
Moors
at
the
battle
of
Navas
de
Tolosa
in
1212.
The
battle
is
seen
as
a
turning
point
in
the
Reconquista,
the
700
year
holy
war
to
retake
the
Iberian
peninsula
from
the
hands
of
the
Moors.
Given
that
the
end
of
the
Reconquista
only
occurred
in
1492
with
the
capture
of
Granada,
the
significance
of
the
battle
in
1212
might
be
overstated.
Be
that
as
it
may,
in
the
monastery
museum
at
the
end
of
the
visit
you
can
see
the
Moorish
standard
(Pendón)
captured
at
the
battle.
In
addition
to
it
there
are
some
wonderfully
preserved
items
of
material
and
clothing
from
over
800
years
ago.
I
found
them
quite
moving.
We
had
a
guided
visit
in
Spanish
which
was
enthralling,
full
of
historical
detail
as
well
as
a
clear
explanation
of
the
architectural
features
of
the
monastery.
The
architecture
of
the
buildings
is
significant.
Friezes
and
other
features
made
by
Moorish
artisans
have
been
incorporated
into
the
structure
which
contains
Gothic
and
Mudéjar
features.
It
is
a
gem
of
a
place
to
visit,
but
prepare
well
for
it
by
familiarising
yourself
with
a
bit
of
Spanish
history
as
well
as
some
understanding
of
the
architectural
terms.
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