Covarrubias, Spain

This article is about the village in Spain. For other uses, see Covarrubias (disambiguation).

Covarrubias, Spain
Location of Covarrubias
Municipality	Burgos
Government
- Mayor	Miguel Ortíz Alcalde (PP)
Area
- Total	41 km2 (15.8 sq mi)
- Land	41 km2 (15.8 sq mi)
- Water	0.00 km2 (0 sq mi)
Population (2005)
- Total	655 (town proper)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Website	http://www.ecovarrubias.com/

Covarrubias is a village and municipality in the province of Burgos in the Spanish autonomous community of Castile and León. It has 640 inhabitants, and it is near Mecerreyes and Hortigüela. Covarrubias is situated in the valley of the river Arlanza, which is extensively wooded with among other species Spanish Juniper. Part of the area belonging to the municipality is included within a Special Protection Area for bird-life such as vultures.

The village itself was declared a Conjunto Histórico-Artístico, a type of conservation area, in 1965. Covarrubias with its picturesque vernacular buildings in an unspoilt setting attracts many tourists, some of whom come from abroad. Covarrubias and Tønsberg in Norway have entered a friendship agreement as the result of a medieval connection through Princess Kristina of Norway. A church honouring Saint Olaf II of Norway, designed by the architect Pablo López Aguado, is about to be built.^[1]

One of the first areas to be reconquered from the Moors in the late ninth century, Covarrubias throws light on the origins of Castile and its language. It is a privileged area that offers all the advantages of a bathing and canoeing river, plus the beauty of the surrounding landscape such as in Fuente Azul, 6 km away. It has pure nature in a distinctive valley with mild temperatures and welcoming people. Also its cuisine is diverse: its black pudding is famous in Burgos province, and it produces grapes, Arlanza (DO), and cherries.

Places of interest

• the Torreón (a tower associated with Fernán González of Castile),
• the Gothic Colegiata (collegiate church) is a designated monument. Its museum contains a painting attributed to Van Eyck.

Tower of Fernán González

Tomb of the Norwegian Princess in the cloister of the collegiate church.

Notes

1. ^ Saint Olav's chapel in Spain

See also

• Covarrubias (family name, lastname)

External links

• Ayuntamiento de Covarrubias
• webcam

Coordinates: 42°03′23″N 3°31′01″W / 42.0564°N 3.51694°W / 42.0564; -3.51694