Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo, Toledo, Spain

The Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo, commonly referred to as the Toledo Cathedral or the Primate Cathedral of Toledo, is a majestic Roman Catholic cathedral.

Toledo Cathedral: Calle Cardenal Cisneros, 1, 45002 Toledo, Spain

The construction of the Toledo Cathedral began in 1226 and continued over several centuries, resulting in a blend of architectural styles. The cathedral predominantly showcases the Gothic style, but it also incorporates elements of Mudéjar, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.

The side entrance

Looking toward the altar (front side) from the back and far left side of the church

Looking toward the altar (front side) from the back and left side of the church

Looking toward the altar (front side) from the back and middle of the church.  What you see in front is the Choir section

Looking toward the altar (front side) from the back and right side of the church

Looking toward the altar (front side) from the back and far right side of the church

The back of the church

At the far right side of the church, walking toward the front (atar) side

Looking at a side of the Choir section

Keep walking toward the front

In front of the Choir section is the Altar section

Grille protects the altar

The altar is eighty feet tall and made of real gold on wood, it’s one of the country’s best Gothic art pieces. Twenty-seven Flemish, French, and local artists labored on it for seven years. The images seem to celebrate the colorful Assumption of Mary (upper center), with Mary escorted by six upwardly mobile angels. The crucified Christ on top is nine feet tall.

Looking back is the Choir section

Choir: This intimate space, lined with 120 carved-wood stalls, is where VIPs and hymn-singing musicians (hence the name “choir”) can celebrate Mass near the high altar. Stepping inside, you’re greeted by a 700-year-old statue of the Virgin and Child. This “White Virgin” is thought to be a gift from the French king to Spain.

The back of the White Virgin

Keep walking toward the front of the church

They are all looking at something

But there is a room on the far right side of the church; go here first.

This room has portraits of 1,900 years of Toledo archbishops circling the room.

Out from the room and walking toward the thing that people are watching

The Transparente—a towering white, red, and gold altarpiece bursting with statues—is a unique feature of the cathedral.  Carved out of marble from Italy, it’s bursting with motion and full of energy.

In front of the Transparente is this chapel with a coffin.

At the left side of the church, near the altar looking at the rear side of the church.

A side chapel

Sacristy. It has many paintings by famous artists

The cathedral houses an extensive collection of religious artwork and historical artifacts. It is home to numerous altarpieces, sculptures, paintings, and other precious works of art by renowned artists, including El Greco, Diego Velázquez, and Francisco de Goya.

Looking back

A Goya painting

A Francisco Javier Ramos painting

El Greco Painting

The next room

Back to the church.  The right side has a door to the courtyard

Back to the church

Treasury: The star attraction here is a 10-foot-high, 430-pound gold-and-silver monstrance—the ceremonial tower designed to hold the Holy Communion wafer (the host) that every year is paraded atop a float through the city during the festival of Corpus Christi (“body of Christ”).

Built in 1517 by Enrique de Arfe, it’s made of 5,000 pieces held together by 12,500 screws. The inner part (which is a century older) is 40 pounds of solid gold. There are diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and 400 pounds of gold-plated silver.

Looking at the front from the back of the church