The Cathedral

Lying as it does between the Rivers Abi≤n and Ucero, the origin of El Burgo de Osma Cathedral is to be traced back to the times of Pedro de Bourges (St Peter of Osma), the Cluniac monk who, once these lands had been reconquered from the Moslems and were once more under Castilian rule, was to become the first bishop of the restored diocese. In the course of time, a centre of population would gradually develop around the cathedral building, eventually giving rise to what we know today as El Burgo de Osma.

Arco románico en el claustro (ppa)
The original 12th century Romanesque cathedral, some interesting remains of which are still to be seen in the cloister (in particular at the chapterhouse window), was replaced in the mid 13th century by the Gothic structure that was built along the lines of the Cistercian monastery churches, such as those of Las Huelgas at Burgos and Santa Marφa at Huerta. Subsequent additions and changes to the cathedral building have not entailed any substantial modification to its unitary conception, and as a result it constitutes an invaluable record of the architectural style characteristic of the period in which it was constructed.

Its ground plan comprises a nave and two aisles divided into five bays, and beyond the transept features a further two aisles that were at one time crowned by five apsidal chapels. In the 18th century, the two chapels adjacent two the presbytery were removed in order to make way for the construction of an aisle running around the high chapel, an ambulatory, which would lead through to the sacristy and the chapel of La Inmaculada.


Planta de la catedral (fyb)

Vista del claustro (mas)
In the 16th century, during the period in which Alonso Enrφquez was bishop, the original cloister was replaced by one that featured elegant late Gothic. Subsequently, in 1541, in the time of Bishop Pedro de Acosta, a chapel dedicated to St Peter of Osma was built over the chapterhouse, crowning the transept with an impressive, richly decorated faτade, the outstanding feature of which is the double entrance so reminiscent of Diego de SiloeÆs Golden Staircase at Burgos Cathedral.

Portada de la capilla de San Pedro de Osma
This addition to the cathedral structure was to endow the latter with what can be termed a double axiality, since it now featured not only the axis of the abbey church, the sacred way leading from the choir to the presbytery along the nave, but also a second axis that through the transept, from the southern doorway to the chapel of St Peter. Likewise Renaissance in style is the Capilla de Santiago, a chapel whose construction had practically been completed as early as 1533 and which culminated the Epistle (southern) aisle, flanking the western San Miguel portal, adjacent to the great Baroque tower that dominates the outline of El Burgo de Osma. This tower was erected as a replacement for the medieval structure that collapsed in 1734 during the term of office of Bishop Agustφn de la Cuadra.

Torre de la catedral (ppa)
In the mid 18th century, owing to the fact that a number of defects had become apparent in the cathedral fabric, the authorities sought the opinion of several architects. The most outstanding of the studies submitted was that of Ventura Rodrφguez, who recommended that the cathedral should be demolished and a new Classicist one erected in its place. His plans foresaw a change in the orientation of the presbytery and maintained the recently built tower; the cathedral perimeter was to match that of the medieval structure and a solution was provided for the connection of the transept to the cloister. Also included in his project, at the entrance to the west end, was the creation of a small square that would also be given onto by the nearby episcopal palace.

Sección de la catedral proyectada por Ventura Rodríguez (1755) (ahn)
However, since the Lisbon earthquake did not affect El Burgo de Osma Cathedral, the proposals in favour of completely rebuilding the latter founded on its alleged structural defects were rejected and it was decided to preserve the existing edifice and to take limited, specific action in accordance with the plans of architect JosΘ Hermosilla, all work being concluded by 1759.


Bóveda de la sacristía mayor (ppa)

Bóveda de la capilla de La Inmaculada (ppa)
In the last third of the 18th century, the most outstanding contemporary architects would once more come to El Burgo de Osma Cathedral. The work they carried out was to be the first to impair the unique nature of the medieval structure, entailing as it did the destruction of the apsidal chapels adjacent to the presbytery and the creation of the ambulatory. The latter gave rise to a second pilgrimage route leading to the chapel of La Inmaculada, which had been erected in memory of the Venerable Palafox, whose beatification was thought to be nigh and whose mortal remains the chapel was intended to house. Nevertheless, these alterations, which together with the new sacristy were the work of architect Juan de Villena, and which were completed in accordance with the plans of Sabatini by ┴ngel Vicente Ub≤n and Luis Bernasconi, have enriched the cathedral ensemble without detracting from what is a true document of architectural history, one which has been handed down to us and which illustrates, by means of the language belonging to the successive styles, much of the long history of this diocese, of which it is the heart.