Puerta de Bisagra Nueva

---

View from the inside
Puerta de Bisagra Nueva (New Bisagra Gate)
Calle Real del Arrabal
Toledo, September 2022

“The Puerta de Bisagra Nueva (The New Bisagra Gate) is the best known city gate of Toledo, Spain. The gate is of Moorish origin, but the main part was built in 1559 by Alonso de Covarrubias. It carries the coat of arms of the emperor Charles V. It superseded the Puerta Bisagra Antigua as the main entrance to the city.” (Puerta de Bisagra Nueva, Wikipedia)

Santa Leocadia

---

Church of Santa Leocadia
Calle Santa Leocadia
Toledo, September 2022

“The Church of St Leocadia (Iglesia de Santa Leocadia) is a medieval church located in Toledo, in Castile-La Mancha, Spain. Toledan tradition maintains that this church was built on the site of the house where Saint Leocadia of Toledo was born. This house supposedly had a small underground room, where it is affirmed that she prayed. This cave corresponds to the crypt located next to the right pillar of the presbytery and is covered with a plaster rib vault, which can be dated to the first half of the 16th century. Both the present church and the tower are in the Toledan variant of the Mudéjar style and are datable, in their older parts, to the end of the 13th century. However, there is reason to assume that there existed an earlier building. The parish of "Santa Leocadia within Toledo" (see note1) is mentioned in documents from the middle of the 12th century. In the tower and on the façade of the church are preserved, embedded, some fragments of reliefs in Visigothic style. There are only references to think that the primitive arrangement was that of an isolated building, separated from the Monastery of Santo Domingo el Antiguo by a street that was suppressed, in times of Alfonso X of Castile, when extending that convent.” (Church of Santa Leocadia, Wikipedia)

Convento de la Purísima Concepción

---

Convento de la Purísima Concepción
Plaza Capuchinas
Toledo, September 2022

“The Convento de la Purísima Concepción, also called Convento de Capuchinas, is a convent located in the city of Toledo, in Castile-La Mancha, Spain. The buildings are late 17th century although the institution developed from an earlier Augustinian community.[1] The chapel was completed by 1671, the year in which it was consecrated; and by 1677, the year when the convent's patron Cardinal Don Pascual de Aragón died, the works of the conventual dependencies were practically finished.” (Convento de la Purísima Concepción, Wikipedia)

Iglesia de San Ildefonso

---

Church of San Ildefonso
Plaza Padre Juan de Mariana
Toledo, September 2022

“The Church of San Ildefonso (Iglesia de San Ildefonso) is a Baroque style church located in the historic center of the city of Toledo, in Castile-La Mancha, Spain. It is also known as the Jesuit church and is consecrated to Saint Ildefonso of Toledo, patron of the city and Father of the Church. Its construction took more than 100 years. Work began in 1629 on lands acquired by the Jesuits of Toledo in 1569. The location hosted the houses of Juan Hurtado de Mendoza Rojas y Guzmán, count of Orgaz.[1] It was the birthplace of Saint Ildefonsus. ” (Church of San Ildefonso, Wikipedia)

Capilla de San Blas

---

Capilla de San Blas (Chapel of Saint Blaise)
Catedral de Toledo (Toledo Cathedral)
Calle Cardenal Cisneros
Toledo, September 2022

“The Chapel of Saint Blaise was commissioned by Archbishop Tenorio as well. Built on the lower level of the cathedral grounds, and entered from the Cloister itself, it is roofed by an octopartite vault in a reminder of the chapel's purpose as a burial chamber. The starting date of its construction is debated, although the period from 1389 to 1398 is generally accepted. It is certain that the building was finished shortly before the death of Archbishop Tenorio on 10 May 1399. The archbishop prepared a written consecration to Saint Blaise, leaving the manuscript behind at his death; his will stipulated the rents to be collected for the maintenance of the chapel, and required the cathedral Chapter to take over its management. The chapel is situated about twenty-three feet below street level, the archbishop having ordered the ground outside the building raised with fill, a circumstance that in the long run caused many problems with humidity, which had a devastating effect on the artworks of the lower interior walls. This decision was made after construction was well along due to the cluttered impression the building gave the eye. The chapel is decorated in two different parts. First, from the cornice to the ceiling, the Apostles' Creed is represented in fourteen scenes in the manner of the dial of a clock. At the lower part beneath the cornice is a painting of the Final Judgement and scenes of the Lives of the Saints. The authorship of the works is not clear, even though it remains attributed without a doubt to Florentine painters, among whom are mentioned as very probably the artists: Gherardo Starnina and Nicolás de Antonio. Deterioration caused by excessive humidity and some badly done restorations have damaged the paintings closest to the floor, in some cases irremediably. At the beginning of the 21st century, a profound conservation-restoration of the paintings of the Chapel of Saint Blaise was inaugurated to stabilise the frescoes and restore the splendour of their original colors, with the exception of those unsalvageable fragments on the lowest portions of the walls. A second undertaking is nearly finished—the elimination of the water seeping through the walls from the street Hombre de Palo, which could damage the collection again.” (Toledo Cathedral, Wikipedia)

Custodia de Arfe

---

Custodia (Monstrance) by Enrique de Arfe
Catedral de Toledo (Toledo Cathedral)
Calle Cardenal Cisneros
Toledo, September 2022

“The most important object kept in the Chapel of the Treasure is the great Monstrance of Arfe, also known as La Gran Ostensoria de Toledo. Made of the finest silver and gold and bejeweled with gems, it measures over ten feet tall. The monstrance is famous for being used in the annual feast of Corpus Christi of Toledo. The creator of the Great Monstrance was the metalworker Enrique de Arfe, born Heinrich von Harff, originally from Jülich or Harff near Cologne, Germany.[31] Arfe labored on it from 1517–1524, on commission to Cardinal Cisneros. It is of late Gothic design. This triumph of the silversmith's craft is in the form of a Gothic temple, with all the architectural details, such as columns, arches, and vaultings, the whole resembling a delicate lacework. Scenes from the life of the Saviour are illustrated in relief. It has two hundred and sixty statuettes of various sizes, all exhibiting the same skill in workmanship.[32] The Great Monstrance has a hexagonal base, and rises on small exquisitely made columns, with adornments of gems and varied figurines of angels and saints, fleurons, small bells and clappers. The work is crowned in the uppermost section by a 17th-century cross. The pedestal on which it sits is in the Baroque style of the 18th century. Originally made of silver, Archbishop Quiroga commissioned its gilding to match the gold plated wood of the monstrance of the altar; it was gilded in 1595 by Valdivieso and Morino. Today it is encased under bulletproof glass and heavily guarded by an automatic security system within the grounds of the cathedral.” (Toledo Cathedral, Wikipedia)

Castillo de San Servando

---

Castillo de San Servando (Castle of San Servando)
Cuesta de San Servando
Toledo, September 2022

“The Castle of San Servando is a medieval castle in Toledo, Spain, near the Tagus River. It was begun as a monastery, occupied first by monks and later by the Knights Templar. In 1874 the castle was named a national monument. The fortress was depicted in El Greco's painting View of Toledo. Lying at the opposite bank of the Tagus than the main urban core, it is connected to the Santa Bárbara residential area through the Cuesta de San Servando.” (Castle of San Servando, Wikipedia)

San Juan de los Reyes

---

Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes (Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes)
Calle de los Reyes Católicos
Toledo, September 2022

“The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes (Monastery of Saint John of the Monarchs) is an Isabelline style Franciscan monastery in Toledo, in Castile-La Mancha, Spain, built by the Catholic Monarchs (1477–1504). This monastery was founded by King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile to commemorate both the birth of their son, Prince John, and their victory at the Battle of Toro (1476) over the army of Afonso V of Portugal. Prince John of Portugal also celebrated his victory over the Castilian army of the Catholic monarchs with a solemn procession on each anniversary of the battle. This apparent contradiction was a consequence of the indecisive military outcome of the battle: the troops under Afonso V broke while the forces led by Prince John of Portugal defeated the Castilian right wing and remained in possession of the battlefield.” (Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, Wikipedia)

Santiago del Arrabal

---

Iglesia de Santiago del Arrabal (Church of Santiago del Arrabal)
Plaza de Santiago del Arrabal
Toledo, September 2022

“Santiago del Arrabal is a church in Toledo, Spain, built in 1245–48, at the orders of Sancho II, on the site of an earlier building, possibly a mosque. Many characteristics of Islamic architecture, such as the horseshoe arch, have remained in the present building which is built in the Mudéjar style. The church is dedicated to Saint James (‘Santiago’ in Spanish), ‘del Arrabal’ refers to its location on the outskirts of Toledo (Arrabal being a Spanish word of Arabic origin). The patrons of the church during its foundation were members of the Diosdado family, knight commanders of the Order of Santiago.” (Church of Santiago, Wikipedia)

Ayuntamiento de Toledo

---

Ayuntamiento de Toledo (Toledo City Hall)
Plaza Consistorio
Toledo, September 2022

“Located on modest Town Hall Square (Plaza del Ayuntamiento), the Toledo City Hall construction began in 1575. It was not completed until 1703. Several talented architects and artists contributed to its creation over the years. Alonso de Covarrubias, Nicolas de Vergara, Elder and Younger, Juan de Herrera, Teodoro Ardemans, and El Greco's son, Jorge, all had a hand. The outstanding feature of the Hall is its Spanish Baroque, Herrerian-style facade bracketed by turrets with spires. Its basic design was made by architect Juan Herrera in 1575. Any severity in the main exterior is his work. Nicolas Vergara (the Elder) and Juan Bautista Monegro did the first floor. Jorge Manuel Theotocópuli, son of El Greco, finished the upper floor. The Hall shares space on Town Hall Square with the Cathedral of Toledo, the largest Gothic cathedral in Spain. Another neighbor is the Archbishop's Palace. The 25-member City Council and the Toledo Tourist Information Office are located in the City Hall. The ground floor fills the whole block. It has a central courtyard surrounded by rooms. The main entrance opens to a large reception hall with a Baroque staircase. The upper part of the facade holds a Herrerian-style footbridge (pasadero) with a balustrade. On the third floor is a balcony with gratings and large rectangular windows.” (Ayuntamiento de Toledo, GPSmyCity)

Puerta del Cambrón

---

Puerta del Cambrón
Paseo Recaredo
Toledo, September 2022

“The Puerta del Cambrón is a gate located in the west sector of the Spanish city of Toledo, in Castile-La Mancha. Also called previously ‘Gate of the Jews’ or ‘Gate of Saint Leocadia’, has been speculated The possibility that the name of the gate, del Cambrón, had its origin in the growth of a thorn bush or plant at the top of the ruins of one of the towers, before the last reconstruction of the gate, In 1576. It has the cataloging of Bien de Interés Cultural. Of Renaissance style, has two pairs of towers and two arches, being built of stone and brick. It underwent two renovations in the early-1570s and in 1576. Hernán González, Diego de Velasco and Juan Bautista Monegro would sculpt a figure of Leocadia in the gate. The gate was little damaged during the Spanish Civil War.” (Puerta del Cambrón, Wikipedia)

Juan de Padilla

---

Juan de Padilla by Julio Martín de Vidales, 2015
Plaza de Padilla
Toledo, September 2022

“Juan de Padilla (Toledo, November 10, 1490 - Villalar, April 24, 1521) was a Castilian nobleman, known for his decisive participation in the War of the Communities of Castile, in which he supported the rebel side in arms against the monarch Charles I. He died beheaded after the communal defeat in Villalar.” (Juan de Padilla, Wikipedia)

Monumento Cardenal Sancha

---

Monument to Cardenal Sancha by Pedro Requejo, 2009
Plaza Padre Juan de Mariana
Toledo, September 2022

“Ciriaco María Sancha y Hervás (17 June 1833 – 25 February 1909) was a Spanish cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the Archbishop of Toledo in addition to being the Primate of Spain and the Patriarch of the West Indies.[1] He established the Sisters of Charity in 1869. He was beatified on 18 October 2009 during the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI; Archbishop Angelo Amato celebrated the rite of beatification on behalf of the pontiff. The second miracle required for his canonization is now under investigation.” (Ciriaco María Sancha y Hervás, Wikipedia)

Capilla Mayor

---

Vault of the Capilla Mayor (Main Chapel)
Catedral de Toledo (Toledo Cathedral)
Calle Cardenal Cisneros
Toledo, September 2022

“The main chapel of the cathedral brings together a wealth of artwork, starting with the architecture of the enclosure itself. In its original state, the enclosure was separated into two parts with two independent vaults. The polygonal vault pertained to the chapel of the Old Monarchs, which was somewhat separated. With this arbitrary division, the presbytery was improperly narrow for such a grand cathedral. Cardinal Cisneros insisted that he wanted this part of the cathedral to be rebuilt and despite some resistance from the Chapel Chapter, he finally received its consent to demolish the old chapel and build one with a wider presbytery and sufficient space for the great Gothic retable which he himself had commissioned.” (Toledo Cathedral, Wikipedia)

Coro de la catedral

---

Coro (Choir) by Rodrigo Alemán, 1498
Catedral de Toledo (Toledo Cathedral)
Calle Cardenal Cisneros
Toledo, September 2022

“Bishop Rodrigo Ximénez de Rada and those who followed him used master builders who had worked in or had experience designing in the French Gothic style. The cathedrals of Paris or Le Mans were their points of reference. The constructive solutions of the French Gothic builders were well-accepted, such as counter-rests, buttresses and pointed arches; nevertheless, the Spanish builders resisted the importation of the layout of the French cathedrals, where the choir and the altar were located in impressive sanctuaries, opting for smaller ones and situating the choir in the central nave. This was the syncretic solution of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, which came first; all of this developed in Spain as much by the influence of the Mozarabic rite, as also by the Visigothic tradition and the Castilian liturgy. This historical evolution, combined with the status of the Primatial Cathedral, encouraged the adoption of the Toledan model by the rest of the Spanish cathedrals, with the exception of that of Burgos and that of León which more closely follows the French model. A similar arrangement of spaces can be seen in the cathedrals of Cádiz, of Seville, and of Palma de Mallorca, among others. And, as was foreseeable, the Spanish Empire carried the model of the Dives Toletana beyond, influencing those constructed in the Americas and the Philippines.” (Toledo Cathedral, Wikipedia)

El Expolio

---

“El Expolio” (The Disrobing of Christ) by El Greco, 1579
Sacristy of Toledo Cathedral)
Calle Cardenal Cisneros
Toledo, September 2022

“The Disrobing of Christ or El Expolio (Latin: Exspolĭum) is a painting by El Greco begun in the summer of 1577 and completed in the spring of 1579 for the High Altar of the sacristy of the Cathedral of Toledo, where it still normally hangs. In late 2013 it was on temporary display at the Prado in Madrid (with the other El Grecos), following a period of cleaning and conservation work there; it was returned to Toledo in 2014. It is one of El Greco's most famous works. A document dated July 2, 1577 which refers to this painting is the earliest record of El Greco's presence in Spain. The commission for the painting was secured thanks to El Greco's friendship from Rome with Luis, the son of Diego de Castilla, the dean of the Cathedral of Toledo. De Castilla senior also arranged El Greco's other major commission, on which he worked simultaneously, the paintings for the Toledan church of Santo Domingo el Antiguo.” (The Disrobing of Christ, Wikipedia)

Sagrado Corazón de Jesús

---

Monumento al Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus) by Juan García Ramírez, 1931
Plaza del Sagrado Corazón
Avenida de Carlos III
Toledo, September 2022

Puente de San Martín

---

Puente de San Martín (San Martin's Bridge)
Bajada San Martín
Toledo, September 2022

“The Puente de San Martín (English: St Martin's Bridge) is a medieval bridge across the river Tagus in Toledo, Spain. The Puente de San Martín features five arches, with the largest in the middle having a span of 40 meters. Only very few bridges in the world were that long at the time of its construction. The bridge was constructed in the late 14th century by archbishop Pedro Tenorio to provide access to the old town from the west, complementing the older Puente de Alcántara linking to the east. Both sides of the bridge were heavily fortified with towers, the more recent dating from the 16th century.” (Puente de San Martín, Wikipedia)

Bancos

---

Bancos (Benches)
Plaza de Zocodover
Toledo, September 2022

“The second expansion was done and dates from the beginning of the 17th century. This consisted in the demolition of a series of houses of little value that seems to be difficult the total vision of Zocodover from its top to the bottom and vice versa. Never more arches were realized and probably this fact is due to that it was not wanted to remove meters to the square. Nowadays Zocodover is one of the places of the city where many events and celebrations are held, as well as serving as a popular meeting point and enjoyment of the Toledo and above all a must for the thousands of tourists who mark the streets of the historical quarter throughout the year.” (Plaza de Zocodover, Wikipedia)

Victoria

---

“Victoria” (Victory) by Juan de Ávalos, 1961
Monumento a la gesta del Alcázar
Calle de la Union
Toledo, September 2022

“On the plinth where the complex stands, two male figures are engraved, representing Courage and Sacrifice. In the centre, there is a representation of Faith embodied in a woman. Also behind (not pictured) is a bronze pietà.” (Monumento a la gesta del Alcázar, Escultura Urbana)