Vileña

Vilena is a Spanish municipality ( municipio ) in the north of the province of Burgos in the autonomous community of Castile -Leon.

Location

Vilena lies in the valley of the Río Oca, about 50 kilometers ( route ) northeast of Burgos; the next largest city, Briviesca, located about five miles south.

Demographics

In the second half of the 19th century up to the year 1940, the place had always over 200 inhabitants. The mechanization of agriculture has subsequently led to a significant decline in population numbers.

Economy

The inhabitants of vilena live mainly from agriculture (crops and small livestock ) in the fertile region of La Bureba.

History

In 1222 founded Urraca López de Haro, the former mistress, since the year 1187 and since 1188 widow wife of Ferdinand II of Leon, in the secluded valley of the Cistercian monastery of Santa María la Real de vilena, today only exist from the ruins. You certain it their grave lay; later, two other tombs were added. The monastery existed likely to disentailment the Spanish church property in 1834 /5; after which it was demolished and the stones were sold. The most important items of equipment, however, were rescued and taken to Burgos.

Attractions

• The parish church of San Salvador is a one-nave building from the 16th century.
• Ruins of the Cistercian monastery, a few meters away from the church. Three medieval tombs with sun figures ( gisants ), a fresco of the Last Judgment from the 13th century and an altarpiece from the 16th century, all from the collection of the former monastery, are shown today in the Museo de Burgos specifically in the local Museo del Retablo.

Fresco of the Last Judgment (13th century)

Tomb of the Día de Sánchez Rojas (14th century)

Altarpiece of the Assumption of Mary ( 16th century)