Visiting Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo Spain

Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada Toledo or Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo, simply known generally as the The Cathedral of Toledo, is devoted to Virgin Mary. The Gothic architectural style holds you in awe and you continue to be spell bound as you quietly make your way around the interiors of the Cathedral. 

It is advisable to keep aside an hour or even more just to visit this Cathedral, the reason being that there is not just the main Chapel to admire, but over half a dozen chapels within. The magnificence within each one of them is a photographer's delight. Contact details are provided at the end of this post for any further information.



The exterior facade
The main arch is known as the Portal of Forgiveness, apparently indicating that when you cross the threshold beneath, your sins are forgiven.

Portal of Forgiveness

Other arched portals are: Portal of the Clock (known by other names too, such as Portal of the Lost Boy), Portal of the Lions, Portal of the Presentation, the Level Portal and Facade of St Kathering. 

Another view of the Cathedral

Then there is the tower of the Cathedral. A little over 300 feet, soaring towards the sky with 5 levels, at its zenith is the spire supporting 3 crowns, the symbolic representation of the Papal Tiara which adorned the Heads of past Popes of the Catholic Church.

Cathedral Tower

Stepping inside, you are mesmerized by the sheer grandeur and it is difficult to absorb everything at one go! Note that the Cathedral is home to a number of Chapels, other than the Main Chapel, namely: 

1. Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, which houses the image of the Virgen del Sagrario, patron saint of Toledo

2. The Descension Chapel

3. Chapel of the New Monarchs

4. Chapel of Saint James

5. Mozarabic Chapel

6. Chapel of Saint Ildephonsus

7. Chapel of Saint Ildephonsus

8. Chapel of Saint Blaise

What really makes your eyes pop is the altar piece in the main chapel. Gilded in gold, crafted from wood, it rises magnificently upwards to the vaulted roof.

Altarpiece

Known as "Retablo", it comprises of 5 panels in step formation, each panel depicting scenes from the New Testament and scenes from the life of Jesus. At its zenith is the scene of Christ's crucifixion.

Don't miss the marble and alabaster sculpture shown in the image below. This is "El Transparente", which is lit up by a skylight that was created at a great height along with  another hole cut into the back of the altarpiece itself to allow sunbeams to dance on the sculpture. Sheer architectural genius, to say the least!

El Transparente

 

A few closeup views of the above sculpture:

If the golden altar piece awed you, wait till your jaw drops at the sight of the Chapel of Treasure! It contains the beautiful Cathedral treasures, all of course secure in their individual glass cabinets. A bejeweled crown, a rich embroidered mantle, objects used in worship, etc are all at their finest. The highlight, though, is the Monstrance of Arfe, also known as La Gran Ostensoria de Toledo. Taking the form of a traditional Gothic temple, it has over 200 statuettes with a Cross at the very top. It rests on a hexagonal base and the whole is perched atop a silver pedestal. 

Monstrance of Arfe

Base pedestal

There are lovely paintings as well in the Cathedral's Sacristy, one of the most famous being "El Expolio" or "The Disrobing of Christ", the work of master painter El Greco (his real name was Doménikos Theotokópoulos).

The Disrobing of Christ painting by El Greco

Look up towards the ceilings too everywhere you go, so as not to miss out the frescos or stained glass windows. 

Ceiling Fresco from 2 different angles

Descension of the Holy Virgin Fresco

Stained Glass Window

 

Rose Window

Contact information
Address:  
C/ Cardenal Cisneros, 1
45002 Toledo

Phone numbers:
(i) Information + 00 34 925 222 241
(ii) Archive and Library + 00 34 925 212 423
(iii) The Cathedral Shop + 00 34 925 258 723

Email for information: info@catedralprimada.es 
Website: http://www.catedralprimada.es/catedral/primada/eng/