The Burgos of El Cid
Vivar del Cid is the birthplace of Rodrigo, is to be found 10 kilometres to the North of Burgos, on the road to Santander. Here, his father, Diego Lainez, possessed an extensive estate, and in Sotopalacios his castle, prior to the one that exists today.
From Vivar to Burgos, the road of exile, the Campeador reaches the city where he has his houses and many of his knight friends, who will leave for adventure with him, live. Next to the gate of St. Martin is the "Solar del Cid", at the foot of the castle, where a simple monument has been raised in his memory.
Very near to this, in St. Agueda street, is the church where Alfonso VI would swear before El Cid that he had not taken part in the death of his brother, Sancho.
Rodrigo left through the gate of St. Maria and, exiled from the city and crossing the Arlanzon, he camped out on the pebbles. Near the bridge, a monolith remembers in moving verses of the Cantar (poems).
The greatest monument in Burgos in El Campeador's
memory rises over the bridge of St. Pablo, presided by the bronze
figure of El Cid on horseback, by Juan Cristobal.
Burgos guide