Castilla León govt. pays €1.6 million for El Cid's sword

The regional government of Castilla León has acquired Rodrigo Díaz's de Vivar's legendary sword -'La Tizona'- from the Marquis of Falces, José Ramón Suárez de Otero, for €1.6 million.

El Cid's sword, which was on show at Madrid's Army Museum, has been transferred initially to Burgos Museum, but will eventually be moved to Burgos Cathedral to lie with its famous former owner's remains.

An exhibition is planned at the cathedral for next September to commemorate the eight hundredth anniversary of the 'Poema de Mío Cid'.

The Culture ministry, which was offered but decided not to buy the sword, has contributed €600,000 euros towards the cost while the rest was funded by a consortium of local businessmen after reaching a deal with the regional Junta.