Cathedral of Santa Maria de Toledo

According to legend, the first Cathedral of Toledo was built on the site of the miraculous appearance of the Virgin to St. Ildefons, where the oldest temple of the first Archbishop Eugene was located. Before the Christian buildings, there were the Cathedral Mosque and the Visigothic Church of Sanata Maria del Real.

The construction of the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Toledo dates back to 1227. The documents preserved evidence that the work was carried out by decree of King Fernando III and by the architect Martiner. For decades, such masters as Rodrigo Alfonso, Alvar Martinez and Pedro de Alala have been invited to lead the construction work.

The temple is built of gray granite, mined in the province of Toledo. Initially, the plan of the cathedral was supposed to be a classic Gothic trenef cathedral, but later, it acquired features of Spanish and Moorish styles.

Pilgrims and tourists can admire the size of the cathedral and its majestic naves. The interior decoration is no less monumental: the arches of the temple are based on massive colonnades, and 750 turned windows create an amazing atmosphere of the Divine.

The main facade has three portals: the portal of Forgiveness, the portal of the Last Judgment and the portal of Hell. On the left side of the temple there is a bell tower, and on the right side there is a Mozarab chapel. The main attraction is the Chapel of St. Ildefons, where there is not only the burial place of Archbishop Albornos, but also a very ancient and revered statue of the Virgin Mary. The beautiful Madonna, dressed in a luxurious dress, sits on a silver throne.