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Home / Provinces of Spain / Toledo / Toledo / Attractions in Toledo /

The Cathedral of Toledo

It seems that it was founded in the VI Century by San Eugenio, the first bishop of Toledo. The Muslim invasion turned it into a mosque, called La Mayor.

 

When Toledo was reconquered by Alfonso VI, it became cathedral. Later, San Fernando ordered to demolish it and ordered to place the first stone of the current one in 1227.It has five naves supported by 88 huge pillars, and transept, finished off by the apse with a marvellous double ambulatory, that is a continuation of the side naves.

 

More than 750 artistic stained- glass windows, from the XV and XVI Centuries, give a great beauty and fantastic brightness to the interior. Outside, five monumental doors and three secondary ones give access to the great basilica.

 

However, the most amazing element that we should highlight because of its grandness and art is the altarpiece of the Major Chapel, by Rodrigo Alemán, Vigarni, Egas and Pedro Gumiel. It consists of five bodies with scenes of the New Testament with real size polychrome sculptures and is worked with flame- gilded wood. It was commissioned by the Cardinal Cisneros between 1497 and 1504.

 

The Chapel of St James, from the XV Century, is in a Flamboyant style and houses the sarcophagus of the High Constable Álvaro de Luna and his wife, Juana de Pimentel.

 

The higher choir consists of seventy two chairs by Alonso de Berruguete and Felipe Vigarni, from Burgundy, in 1540. The higher part is occupied by Christ´ genealogies according to the gospels; the lower part is occupied by the characters of the Old alliance with the characters of the New one and the Saints of the Church.

 

Its grille was carried out by Domingo de Céspedes. The space that gives access to the sacristy is the entrance to a real museum with works of artists as known as Jordan, Caxés and Ricci. In the sacristy we can see an interesting collection of pictures. In the central altar is located El Expolio by El Greco, among other paintings by Bellini, Bassano or Goya.

 

We should also pay special attention to the room “El Ochavo”, a sumptuous space from the end of the XVI Century, with octagonal floor, that is part of the cathedral “sacred” or “sacrarium”. It houses an interesting collection of pieces such as San Luis´ Reliquary and busts of San Juan Bautista or la Cruz and the cardinal Mendoza.

Built: XIII Century (1227)

Author: Maestro Martín, Maestro Petrus Petri

Style: Baroque, Gothic, Mudéjar, Renaissance

Category: Religious

Type: Cathedral

Best things to do

From 23.00 €
The Cathedral of Toledo contains centuries of history, religion and art of the first rank. Discover its magnificent architecture and the treasures which it hold with this guided tour. You will get to know first-hand the second largest Cathedral in Spain.... [+]

The Cathedral of Toledo contains centuries of history, religion and art of the first rank. Discover its magnificent architecture and the treasures which it hold with this guided tour. You will get to know first-hand the second largest Cathedral in Spain. You will see the spectacular Baroque work of the Transparent, a heavenly oculus through which the sun's rays enter and illuminate the tabernacle. You will admire the monstrance carved by Enrique de Arfe and much more, accompanied by an official guide.

Do not worry about the entrance, it is included in the price of the visit.

 

From 12.00 €
Sign up for this guided tour full of magic, mystery and legend in Toledo. [+]

Sign up for this guided tour full of magic, mystery and legend in Toledo.

A tour guide will accompany to you to discover "la noche toledana" and its meaning. A very magical moment in the City of Three Cultures when the sun goes down and places as emblematic as its Alcázar light up.

Enjoy a walk through streets that keep the medieval imprint and legends.

 

From 23.00 €
Take advantage of the opportunity to get to know the most monumental Toledo with the tourist wristband. Visit with an official guide monuments as highlighting as the Church of Santo Tome, which hold The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, by El Greco; the Synagogue... [+]

Take advantage of the opportunity to get to know the most monumental Toledo with the tourist wristband. Visit with an official guide monuments as highlighting as the Church of Santo Tome, which hold The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, by El Greco; the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes.

Afterwards, you could continue enjoying your tourist wristband on your own. A great plan for your travel to Toledo.

 

From 137.00 €
There are sights in Toledo that are essential to know. And the best way is with a private tour guide for you and yours. [+]

There are sights in Toledo that are essential to know. And the best way is with a private tour guide for you and yours.

Thanks of this tour you will have a guided visit to the Cathedral and three of the monuments included in the tourist bracelet: Synagogue of Santa María La Blanca, the Church of Santo Tomé which holds the masterpiece by El Greco called "El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz", and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes.

Afterwards, with the tourist bracelet, you can continue strolling on your own and letting yourself fall in love with the charms of the City of Three Cultures.

Plan your visit

Address and telephone

  • Plaza del Ayuntamiento 45002 Toledo
  • +34 925 222 241

Opening times

  • Saturdays:
    • Opens at 10:00 - 18:00
    • Closes at 18:30 horas
  • Sundays and designated days:
    • Opens at 14:00 - 18:00
    • Closes at 18:30
  • Closed:
    • 1 January.  Holy Mary, Mother of God (Eighth Day of Christmas)
    • 25 December. The Birth of Our Lord. No visits on this day.
    • When a celebration so requires. Such cases are announced beforehand. 

Tickets and prices

  • Complete Tour, (12,50 €) enables you to visit:
    • The Primate Temple.
    • Museums: The Choir, Chapter House, Treasury and Sacristy.
    • Capilla de Reyes (Royal Chapel).
    • The Cloister, the Bayeu paintings and the Chapel of St. Blas.
    • Bell Tower. Visit the Campana Gorda (Big Bell) and do not miss the splendid panoramic views of Toledo.
    • Colegio Infantes Museum.
  • Museums, (10 €) enables you to visit:
    • The Primate Temple
    •  Museums: The Choir, Chapter House, Treasury and Sacristy
    • Capilla de Reyes (Royal Chapel)
    • The Cloister and the Bayeu paintings
    • The Chapel of St. Blas
    • Colegio Infantes Museum
  • Audio-guide:
    • The visist will be done with audio-guide.
    • Discounted Admission:
    • For groups, booked in advance.

If you see any mistakes or want to add anything to this information, please contact us.

Location

Things to do in Toledo

From 23.00 €
The Cathedral of Toledo contains centuries of history, religion and art of the first rank. Discover its magnificent architecture and the treasures which it hold with this guided tour. You will get to know first-hand the second largest Cathedral in Spain.... [+]

The Cathedral of Toledo contains centuries of history, religion and art of the first rank. Discover its magnificent architecture and the treasures which it hold with this guided tour. You will get to know first-hand the second largest Cathedral in Spain. You will see the spectacular Baroque work of the Transparent, a heavenly oculus through which the sun's rays enter and illuminate the tabernacle. You will admire the monstrance carved by Enrique de Arfe and much more, accompanied by an official guide.

Do not worry about the entrance, it is included in the price of the visit.

 

From 12.00 €
Sign up for this guided tour full of magic, mystery and legend in Toledo. [+]

Sign up for this guided tour full of magic, mystery and legend in Toledo.

A tour guide will accompany to you to discover "la noche toledana" and its meaning. A very magical moment in the City of Three Cultures when the sun goes down and places as emblematic as its Alcázar light up.

Enjoy a walk through streets that keep the medieval imprint and legends.

 

From 23.00 €
Take advantage of the opportunity to get to know the most monumental Toledo with the tourist wristband. Visit with an official guide monuments as highlighting as the Church of Santo Tome, which hold The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, by El Greco; the Synagogue... [+]

Take advantage of the opportunity to get to know the most monumental Toledo with the tourist wristband. Visit with an official guide monuments as highlighting as the Church of Santo Tome, which hold The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, by El Greco; the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes.

Afterwards, you could continue enjoying your tourist wristband on your own. A great plan for your travel to Toledo.

 

From 137.00 €
There are sights in Toledo that are essential to know. And the best way is with a private tour guide for you and yours. [+]

There are sights in Toledo that are essential to know. And the best way is with a private tour guide for you and yours.

Thanks of this tour you will have a guided visit to the Cathedral and three of the monuments included in the tourist bracelet: Synagogue of Santa María La Blanca, the Church of Santo Tomé which holds the masterpiece by El Greco called "El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz", and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes.

Afterwards, with the tourist bracelet, you can continue strolling on your own and letting yourself fall in love with the charms of the City of Three Cultures.

From 0 €
Get to know the City of the Three Cultures by this free tour only in English. Accompanied by an official tour guide, you’ll stroll its labyrinth and historic streets.  [+]

Get to know the City of the Three Cultures by this free tour only in English. Accompanied by an official tour guide, you’ll stroll its labyrinth and historic streets. 

You’ll see the most emblematic monuments like the Cathedral, the Alcázar, the Iglesia de Santo Tomé or the Synagogues in the Jewish Quarter. Moreover, you’ll discover some traditional foods of Toledo, like the “mazapán”. 

Book now without paying anything! You’ll put the price after enjoying the tour, but we are sure it will surprise you!

From 25.00 €
On this guided tour you will walk through the most outstanding streets and squares of Toledo, the City of Three Cultures, a city that was declared a World Heritage Site in 1986. Afterwards, you will enter its monumental jewel: the Primate Cathedral, which... [+]

On this guided tour you will walk through the most outstanding streets and squares of Toledo, the City of Three Cultures, a city that was declared a World Heritage Site in 1986. Afterwards, you will enter its monumental jewel: the Primate Cathedral, which in the Middle Ages was known as the Dives Toledana for all the wealth it holds inside. 

It houses the Treasury, which is the custody of Enrique de Arfe, the incomparable Transparent by Narciso Tomé, and works by El Greco, Titian, Velázquez, Van Dyck, among others. 

The entrance to the cathedral is included in the price of the tour.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

From 25.00 €
Discover with an expert guide the must-see corners of Toledo, the City of Three Cultures.  [+]

Discover with an expert guide the must-see corners of Toledo, the City of Three Cultures. 

You will visit the most iconic streets and squares of the city. You will have a tourist bracelet which includes guided tour in three monuments: the Church of Santo Tomé, where you will find the great painting by El Greco, "The Burial of the Lord of Orgaz"; the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes. 

Afterwards, with the same tourist bracelet, you can visit the rest of the city's sights and monuments at your own pace.

 

Attractions in Toledo

It is a Toledo symbolic building that has grown at the same time as the town, having its oldest origins in Roman times. It is located on a hill, being its location an important strategic point, developing different functions through the years.
This building was founded by the Cardinal Pedro González de Mendoza at the beginning of the XVI Century with the aim of taking in orphans. It is located in the former Santa Cruz Hospital, a Renaissance building with a Plateresque façade, a cloister and...
It was built by the Marqués de la Vega Inclán, over the foundations of a Renaissance palace located in the Toledo Jewish quarter.
The church dates from the XII Century, although it was built at the beginning of the XIV Century ordered on the orders of Señor de Orgaz. It has a beautiful Mudejar tower which is one of the best examples of Mudejar art in Toledo.

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