Size is not everything

I must admit that having traveled through fields full of vines and barley, over mountains and across plains with views of table top hills and snow (yes in June) still on the peaks, I was expecting a lot from Burgos and the enormous cathedral there. I was so disappointed.

This building just gives the impression of an opulent museum, built to honour people and their perceived position with God, and not for continuous worship.  The was no place open to the public to pray which in a church this size can’t be right.  The commentary we had was clinical in its description of all the pieces of art and design of the building that no room was available to say what worship and prayer took place., and all in a place that is one of Spain major cathedrals.  To say I was underwhelmed is am understatement.

It is big, in fact enormous, and maybe that is the problem.  Maybe it is just too big.  You’re lost in the cavernous naves and aisles.  Architecturally it is absolutely amazing however.  A masterpiece of ingenuity and engineering.

Maybe there is an issue which I’ve mentioned before, that of music.  Does the presence of music and its use in worship through the ages make a difference to the feel of a place.  I should imagine that singing in such acoustics would sound fantastic, and I longed to hear the massive organ played, but that isn’t going to happen all the time.

I been, I’ve seen it, I marveled at its size and architectural quality but I didn’t feel much and sadly I don’t feel a need to return.