Glera del Arlanzon (Burgos)

The Glera del Arlanzón, as its name indicates, is a cluster of eroded fragments of gravel, sand and stone found on the banks of the homonymous river.

Although it is not really striking or spectacular in itself, what makes the Glera del Arlanzón interesting is that it is part of the so-called Way of Cid, mentioned in both the “Cantar de Mio Cid” and “The Legend of the Seven Infants of Lara”.

According to the “Cantar de Mio Cid”, at the moment when Cid Campeador, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, is exiled by order of Alfonso VI, the people of Burgos prohibited him from staying in their houses by royal order. For this reason, El Cid crossed the river and slept outdoors on its left bank, in the Glera del Arlanzón, which during the 11th century was destined for lepers and vagabonds.

It is, then, a place with an enormous symbolic charge due to the fact that the hero of the reconquest was forced to spend the night in an unfair refuge, destined only for the social dregs of the time.

Currently, the left bank of the Glera del Arlanzón is an integral part of Burgos that has grown and developed towards the south of the city. It is home to a beautiful and quiet tree-lined walk, called “El Espoloncillo”, which has gained popularity for being part of the legend of El Cid, as well as being ideal for enjoying a pleasant and relaxing walk.