Toledo: Historical Architecture

Henry Jacqmein

Toledo’s architecture will quite frankly give you a feeling of traveling to a different universe. The intricate designs and religious influence incorporated into the city’s architecture tells a history of times dating back to the Roman era.

This photo shows an example of the arches involved in Toledo's architecture.

History

Composed of churches, synagogues, and Muslim ruins, the history of Toledo can be shown through its architecture. Ruled first by Muslims after the conquest of 712 AD by the Emirate of Cordoba, they built a number of monuments that would be destroyed throughout time such as the piers of the now destroyed Bano de la Cava Bridge, the Puerta Vieja de Bisagra (the Old Bisagra Bridge), Las Tornerias Mosque, Bib Mardum Mosque (a private oratory completed in 999 AD), the hammans in the Calle de Angel, and the Calle Pozo Amargo, among other structures.

After being retaken in 1085 by Christians, churches and catholic cathedrals were built at the same time as Jewish monuments such as the Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue (1180) and El Transito Synagogue (1366). While the synagogues were important to Toledo, the Cathedral is the most prominent structure.

Why Visit?

Why visit?

While visiting other cities such as Madrid or Barcelona, you may find yourself spending money shopping, going to a Flamenco show, or even a bullfighting arena.

Toledo is a unique city and worth visiting because its architectural beauty is so enticing you could spend an entire day exploring and taking in the architecture without spending a single penny. In today’s world free is almost hard to come by, but luckily for you can enter churches, take photos, and trek the city without any money. For those interested in a Toledo walking tour, which is a great way to learn the history, you can click here.

This shows a common storefront in Toledo. The cobblestone shown was probably built during the Jewish rule in the 1400's.

Architecture Style

The most famous building in Toledo is the Cathedral. Although primarily constructed in the Gothic style of architecture, the Cathedral does combine some characteristics of the Mudejar style. It is built almost exclusively with white limestone from the quarries of Olihuelas, near Toledo, and boasts a length of 390 feet, a width of 194 feet, and a maximum height of 146 feet. Among its many impressive aspects, the spectacular incorporation of light and the structural achievements of the ambulatory vaults are commonly considered most remarkable.

The Cathedral will make you appreciate architecture for time to come. The detail and precision on the outside of the building, most specifically the arch in the entrance will leave you speechless and thirsty for more information on how it was built.

As you can see on the left and right sides of the doors, there are 12 of Jesus' disciples. The detail and precision of these figures make you appreciate the building that much more.

What is Gothic Style?

Gothic style architecture is most noted by its amazing arches that are incorporated into most of its buildings. The arches are articulated with massive amounts of detail and care. Stain glass windows are also a major factor in the gorgeous style of architecture which much of current Toledo boasts.

Gothic Style architecture is especially intriguing for visitors like you from the United States because of its lack of presence in the United States. These styles of architecture were so advanced for their time before the United States even existed. The feeling of examining and being in the presence of such buildings like the Cathedral allow to you feel that you are in history.

Gothic Style has a lot of detail within its arches. The specific arch shown below has massive detail on each beam. The most notable details being the 12 disciples.

Here you can see the detail of the gothic style architecture. There is an arch and a mini statue within said arch.

Notice me!

While the architecture of Toledo is incredible, the history of the three religious presences is also quite awesome. While walking throughout Toledo, make sure to find the blue Jewish menorahs throughout the ground and walls. This little tidbit of religious presence was one of the most outstanding features of Toledo.

The city does not boast as much color in its architecture like Barcelona and Madrid do, but these menorahs tend to pop out due to the bright blue in a seemingly dull looking architectural environment. The reason it is important to attempt to notice the menorahs is not because of its size, but because there is no particular pattern that they are laid into. They seem to appear at random throughout the city.

Here you can get a glimpse at one of the menorahs throughout the landscape of Toledo.

Mosque Cristo de la Luz

The Islamic Mosque has been in Toledo for one thousand years and it the final one standing. There were once ten mosques in Toledo but were replaced by Cathedrals and Synagogues throughout the rich religious history. IT is the city’s oldest monument checking out.

Synagogue Santa María La Blanca

This synagogue was turned into a church but once remained a steady reminder for the rest of Toledo of the melting pot of religions that had once been.

In either 1405 or 1411, the Synagogue Santa María La Blanca was transformed into a church, but no major structural reforms were implemented to the building during that change. The changeover is, however, when the synagogue took on the name Santa Maria la Blanca, named in honor of Saint Mary, the White.

The circular structures of the Mosque is something not very common in European architecture.

Feelings

When exploring Toledo, try to relive the historical significance of the city while appreciating the grand architecture. Find a local, ask them about what they think of the buildings that surround their home.

You will only see such beautiful architecture and amazing scenery a couple of times in your lifetime, so soak it all in and realize that you are exploring a city massively architecturally important.

Here you can see the Jewish influence on Toledo's architecture.