Burgos - Arco de Santa María

In the 7th/8th century, the area was reconquered from the hands of the Moors by the kings of Asturias. A castle was built in 884 on the orders of King Alfonso III. Burgos became the coronation city of the kings of Castile in the 11th century, which underlines its special importance. After the conquest of Toledo by Alfonso VI. (1085). The city became the see of a Diocese and was a major stop for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. Burgos lost its importance a little, but the city remained an important economic, cultural, and political center in northern Spain. The Convento de San Pablo was a Dominican monastery founded in 1224 that existed until 1835.

Arco de Santa María is one of the twelve gates Burgos had during the Middle Ages. It was rebuilt by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor during the 16th century after the local rulers supported him during the Revolt of the Comuneros in 1520/21.