Free Art, Literature and Architecture - The Travel Free Guide to Spain - page 75

34. Abbey of Santa María de las Huelgas, Burgos
The Cisterian Order is a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church that achieved intel-
lectual and economical importance at the beginning of the second millennium. Unlike other
orders such as the Cathars or the Templars , it has survived to today and continues to manage
active monasteries for both men and women.
The temple of Santa María La Real, located in the outskirts of Burgos, is one of the most
important for the Order. It was founded in 1189 by Alphonso VIII , who in 1212, at the Battle
of Navas de Tolosa defeated the Almohads and ushered in Christian power in Spain.
Such was the influence of Cistercians that, for some time, the abbess of Santa María only re-
sponded to the pope, and was independent of other religious authorities. This monastery was
of capital importance in Castille, used for crowning kings and arming knights. It shouldn't
be confused with other Spanish monasteries of similar name (the complete denomination of
this one is “Santa María La Real de Las Huelgas”).
It is an impressive building, appearing to be a fortress and mixing different architectural
trends of the Middle Ages. The cloisters are built with long archways, while the church fea-
tures an early gothic style. It has three naves and a transept (a traverse section), as well as
five chapels, all of great artistic quality.