TOLEDO: CATHEDRAL

Construction on the Toledo Cathedral, shown in the photo below from across the Tagus River, was begun in 1226 but was not completed until 1493.

This lengthy construction period helps explain the cathedral's different architectural styles, including Muslim.

I did manage a few shots of the cathedral's main portal, which includes sculptures depicting Christ and the 12 disciples.

And here is a shot of the main spire that I took following our visit.

The interior is dramatic in size and includes a great many features and works of art, many of which I failed to photograph.  Here is part of what I did get, beginning with some of the structural elements.

I liked the following photo I took looking up one of the massive pillars to the groined ceiling.

One of the more unusual features was El Transparente, a ceiling area that features a skylight allowing natural light to illuminate what appears to be a glimpse of heaven.  The opening is surrounded by sculptures.  Quite dramatic.

And here is a very stylized madonna and child that I photographed for the similarity of features between mother and child and for the very adult-looking child.

Some of the ceiling designs clearly reflected a Mudejar (Muslim) influence, as in the following.

I'm not sure of the influence for the following, but it appears more secular than Christian.

We spent a fair amount of time in the sacristy because of the art located there.  The sacristy ceiling was ornately painted, though I had difficulty capturing that artwork.  Here first is a shot of the full ceiling, more or less, followed by a closeup of one of the details.

The sacristy is notable for two paintings of Christ, one by El Greco . . .

and the other by Goya.

John