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JUAN DE COLONIA - b. ~1410 Köln, d. 1481 Burgos - WGA

JUAN DE COLONIA

(b. ~1410 Köln, d. 1481 Burgos)

Juan de Colonia or Johannes (Hans) von Köln, German architect active in Spain. About 1440, he was invited by Alfonso de Cartagena, then bishop of Burgos, to work on Burgos Cathedral. He also worked on the reconstruction of Miraflores Charterhouse.

While working in Burgos Juan got married to a local woman María Fernández and inaugurated a whole dynasty of artists who brought German features with them. Johannes himself was the creator of the pierced steeple in Burgos, which closely follows predecessors in Ulm and Esslingen and later became a model for other Spanish steeples.

After his death his son Simon de Colonia succeeded him as master builder of Burgos Cathedral.

Exterior view
Exterior view by

Exterior view

Construction on the Cathedral began in 1221 and was completed in 1567. It is a comprehensive example of the evolution of Gothic style, with the entire history of Gothic art exhibited in its superb architecture and unique collection of art, including paintings, choir stalls, reredos, tombs, and stained-glass windows.

After a hiatus of nearly 200 years, work resumed on the Burgos Cathedral towards the middle of the 15th century and continued for more than 100 years. The work done during this time consisted of embellishments of great splendour, assuring the Cathedral’s continued world-renown status. The workshop was composed of an international team, and among the most famous architects were Juan de Colonia, soon relieved by his son Simon (responsible for the towers and open spires of the fa�ade, the Constable’s chapel, and the Saint Anne’s chapel) and Felipe de Borgona, assisted by numerous collaborators (responsible for the choir, cupola, and lantern tower over the transept crossing).

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