Wow this was and is a big task. I am updating revising this old post from 2017. However, the redoing is complete as really this place needs a lot more than one post, it is sublime. Hope I cover the main points on the Catedral Santa Maria, Primada de España or Saint Mary’s Cathedral , primate of Spain! The province of Toledo, in the autonomous comunity of Castilla La Mancha, Kingdom of Spain!
I had spent days here over the last few years of my life,and coming back is always wonderful; the city is wonderful, the Cathedral is heavens. Let me give it credit and do a single post on it. The Cathedral Saint Mary , primate of Toledo and Toledo. Catedral Santa Maria de Toledo, Primada de España! The construction began in 1226 with white stone in Gothic style;finished in 1493.
The city of Toledo was conquered Christian by king Alfonso VI in 1085. One of the point of the capitulation of the city was that the cults will be respected to all as well as the buildings of muslim or mozarabe ,Christian origins which included the main mosque in the city. A bit later he was absent from the city and left his wife Constanza and the abbot of the monastery Bernard de Sedirac (or Cluny) recently name bishop of Toledo in charge. These last two conspired in 1087 to send armed personnel to take over the mosque; later they installed a bell on it as a Christian symbol. The king was very upset as this almost cause an uprising, and ordered all involved to be executed. The legend tells us that it was the Muslim residents of the city who implore with the king to save their lives with main negotiator the iman, and accepted the bell in the Mosque. As the Cathedral grew in same spot, there is a Chapel dedicated to him; officially creating a Christian Church in a mosque without changes to the structure. I think is a nice story of tolerance.
The Cathedral of Toledo is 120 meters long by 59 meters wide and has five nave in addition to a cruiser aisle and dome as well as a cloister, 88 columns, and 72 vaults. The main façade has three gates such as Puerta del Perdon (Forgiveness), Puerta del Juicio Final (final judgement), to the right, and Puerta del Infierno (hell) to the left. There is , also the Puerta del Reloj (Clock) oldest from early 14C; the Puerta de los Leones (Lions) is 15C . Other gates are Puerta Llana (flat) , Portada de Santa Catalina( St Catherine), and Puerta de la Presentacion (Presentation). The Bell tower is 92 meters high and finalized in 1422 in Gothic style.
Many Chapels were replaced,altered, or eliminated over time. Of the Minor Chapels there are only two remaining such as of Santa Ana ,and San Gil. From the Mayor Chapels the ones that have original elements are of San Juan Bautista ,and Santa Leocadis. Altered Chapels but ornamentation is the original are Reyes Viejos , and Santa Lucía.
You have the Capilla Mayor , inside of it you see the Capilla del Sepulcro (burial) , the beforementioned Capilla Mozarabe; Capilla de los Reyes Nuevos, Capilla de la Epifania, Capilla de la Concepcion, Capilla de San Martin, Capilla de San Eugenio, and Capilla de San Juan Bautista.
The Sala Capitular, you find more Chapels such as Capilla de San Ildefonso, Capilla de Santiago, and Capilla del Cristo de la Columna. On the north side you have the Capilla de San Pedro, Capilla de la Piedad, Capilla de la Pila Bautismal, Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Antigua, and Capilla de Doña Teresa de Haro.
Then, you have the Sacristia or sacristy. Capilla de la Virgen del Sagrario, Capilla del Ochavo, and the choir or Coro, the Trasparente by the Capilla Mayor representing the eucharist of the holy sacrament (1729-1732) . The treasury or Tesoro.The lower and high cloister from 1389, where you find the Capilla de San Blas chapel.
The stained glass in the Cathedral is one where the medieval glass has been best preserved. They were done in the 14C to 17C with renovations in the 18C. The wrought iron is from the 16C in renaissance style. Many kings of Castile are buried in the Cathedral, amongst them are Juan I and son Enrique III of Castille.
This is a must to visit here, if only one thing to see in Toledo this must be it. Again do not missed it. I have come to Toledo sometimes just walk around it ,and others go inside, always a great satisfaction of seeing it. Catedral Primada de España, Catedral Santa Maria of Toledo.
Hope you enjoy the brief introduction as like i said need a book or several posts to cover it. And of course, this is Toledo!!!
The official Catedral de Toledo webpage: https://www.catedralprimada.es/en/info/catedral/historia/
The Tourist office of Toledo on the Cathedral: https://turismo.toledo.es/recursos/museos-y-monumentos/id1450-santa-iglesia-catedral-primada-de-toledo.html
The Tourist office of the region Castilla La Mancha on the Cathedral: http://en.www.turismocastillalamancha.es/patrimonio/catedral-primada-23364/descripcion/
And there you go folks, plenty to go around and see this jewel of our time and forever. Hope you enjoy the introduction. And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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