On the outskirts of Burgos, three kilometres away from its eastern border, there is the city’s quietest and most secluded landmark – an ancient all-male Carthusian monastery dedicated to the Virgin Miraflores. The place is worth a visit at least because this is one of four charterhouses preserved in Spain. Three others are located in Barcelona, Valencia and La Pobla de Benifassa. Today, the sanctuary in Burgos is still inhabited by the monastic community that belongs to the Order of the Carthusians.

The establishment of Miraflores Charterhouse dates back to the 1440s. King John II of Castile donated a hunting lodge to the Order of the Carthusians. By doing this, he fulfilled the last will of his father, Henry III, who wanted to build a monastery and a royal pantheon there. However, only 10 years later, a strong fire destroyed the hunting lodge.

A new building was constructed on the same grounds in the 1480s. Juan de Colonia, a then famous architect and sculptor, was in charge of the construction. Later it was continued by his son and apprentice Simon de Colonia.

While its late-gothic exterior isn’t that unusual, the interior is truly amazing and impressive!

Admire gorgeous stained glass, created by one of the most sought-after European masters of the time Nicolaes Rombouts. To this day there isn’t a lot of information about this great man’s identity and works. The stained glass in Miraflores Charterhouse in Burgos is the oldest out of his known and surviving works, which makes them even more precious.

Before the altar, there is a luxurious tomb of King John II and his wife Queen Isabella of Portugal. The tomb was created by Gil de Siloe, a Castilian artist and sculptor of Flemish origin. The master worked in the styles of late-Gothic, Isabelline and Mudejar, and his Royal Mausoleum became one of the most stunning creations of European funerary art.