Cathedral of Toledo

The Cathedral constitutes part of the complex labyrinth of this Mudejar city as one building more. Only from a site a little bit farther and high, the imposing splendour of this monument can be appreciated. Its main façade is constituted by a great tower and a smaller one crowned by a dome that also work as a frame for the three big gateways: El Perdón -the Absolution- (in the middle); El Juicio Final -the Last Judgement- (at the tower) and El Infierno -The Hell-.

The main gateway was designed by Alvar Martínez at the end of the 14th century and beginning of the 15th century. It is a vast arch with archivolts in which jambs the apostles are represented and a tympanum that exhibits the Cathedral’s coat of arms which is the Virgin giving the chasuble to St. Ildefonso. “El Juicio Final” gateway was the first to be built and shows a representation of the Last Judgement. “El Infierno” entrance is ornamented with vegetable motifs.

At the end of the 18th century, the cathedral façade was renovated by architect Eugenio Durango. “El Reloj” –the clock- front, at the transept, is the most ancient one of the cathedral and dates from the 14th century. It stands out for a magnificent tympanum distributed into four sections of figurines that represent the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Massacre of the Innocents, the Escape to Egypt, the Circumcision, Jesus and the Doctors of the Temple, the Presentation, the Baptism, the Marriage at Cana and the Death of the Virgin. The back transept front is called “Los Leones” –the Lions- where wonderful sculptures can be seen: Virgin Mary at the mullion and the disciples at the jambs.