Miraflores Charterhouse

About

Miraflores Charterhouse (Spanish: Cartuja de Miraflores) is an Isabelline style charterhouse, or Carthusian monastery of the Order of the Carthusians, built on a hill (known as Miraflores) about three kilometres from the center of the Spanish city of Burgos, autonomous community of Castile and León. Its origin dates back to 1442, when King John II of Castile donated a hunting lodge outside Burgos, which had been erected by his father Henry III of Castile "the Mourner" in 1401, to the Order of the Carthusians for its conversion into a monastery, thus fulfilling his father's wishes, as stated in his will. A fire in 1452 caused the destruction of the pavilion, and construction of a new building began in 1454. It is this building, which was placed under the patronage of Saint Mary of the Annunciation, which exists today. The construction was commissioned to Juan de Colonia, and was continued after his death by his son, Simón de Colonia, who completed the structure in 1484 at the behest of Queen Isabella I of Castile, surviving daughter of king John II of Castile and queen Isabella of Portugal, whose impressive buried are housed in the monastery. It is a late-Gothic jewel, and its highlights...

The Charterhouse is 3 km east of the city center of Burgos, in the parque de Fuentes Blancas, close to the Arlanzón River. The monument is easily accessible from the city of Burgos, and can be reached along an easy footpath in a natural setting. It is possible to go by bus or taxi from the city, and it has free parking for private vehicles and buses. Visits are free and open to the public.

First in 1401 was erected the Palace-alcázar of Miraflores, built by King Henry III of Castile "the Mourner". Later, the Miraflores Charterhouse was founded in 1442 after the donation to Order of the Carthusians by King John II of Castile inside the Palace-alcázar of Miraflores. That original monastery, originally placed under the patronage of Saint Francis of Assisi, suffered a fire in 1452 causing a new approach to the building according to the current design, which was commissioned architect Juan de Colonia, who worked at that time in the Cathedral of Burgos.

[...] Por la cual ofrescí a la dicha su orden [cartuja] los que entonces eran mis palacios de la dicha Miraflores e agora son el dicho monesterio de Sant Francisco de la dicha Orden de Cartuxa. (written in Medieval Spanish )

- [...] By which I offered to their blessed order [Charterhouse] then were my palaces of the blessed Miraflores and are now blessed monastery of Saint Francis of Assisi of the blessed Cartuxa Order.

With the arrival to the throne of the John II's daughter, Isabella I of Castile, return the work in monastery from the year 1477, undertaking new projects such as the Sepulchers of the Kings or the Altarpiece. It will continue the architectural tracery of Garci Fernández de Matienzo and later of Simón de Colonia, son of Juan de Colonia, finishing the works of vaulting of the monastery in year 1484.

Between 1532 and 1539, undertaken other architectural works in the monastery under direction of Diego de Mendieta, designed to create the side chapels and give greater height to the church as well as the incorporation of spires and pinnacles, and incorporation of the cresting.

19th-century drawings of the Miraflores Charterhouse

Both of these sights preverves within today

Sepulchers of John II of Castile and Isabella of Portugal in the Miraflores Charterhouse by Jenaro Pérez Villaamil and Charles Fichot in 1850. Lithograph published in the work España artística y monumental.

Sepulcher of infante Alfonso in the Miraflores Charterhouse by Jenaro Pérez Villaamil and Philippe Benoist in 1850. Lithograph published in the work España artística y monumental.

The sources for the study of the Miraflores Charterhouse include writings of various kinds

- Compendium of the Libro becerro entitled Brief and compendious news of the foundation of this Miraflores Charterhouse taken from Libro Becerro with worthy of knowing's other news, and covering events and privileges granted to the Charterhouse from 1442 to 1764.

- Other sources, among which are the following contributions:

- Iglesia, Fr. Nicolás, "Flowers of Miraflores sacred hieroglyphics, figurative truths, true shadows of the Mistery of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin and Mother of God Our Lady Mary […]», Burgos, 1659.

- Vallés, José de, "First Institute of the Sacred Religion of the Cartuxa: foundations of convents throughout Spain, martyrs of England and generals of the whole order" Madrid, 1663.

- Arias de Miranda, Juan, "Historical Notes about Miraflores Charterhouse Burgos» Burgos, 1843.

- Tarín and Juaneda, Francisco, "The Royal Miraflores Charterhouse (Burgos). History and description" Burgos, 1896.

Both of these sights preverves within today

Sepulchers of John II of Castile and Isabella of Portugal in the Miraflores Charterhouse by Jenaro Pérez Villaamil and Charles Fichot in 1850. Lithograph published in the work España artística y monumental.