Attractions in Centro & Zocodover (Toledo)

Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz

This mosque, a reminder of Toledo's Muslim history, was the site of the first Christian mass in the city after its recapture in 1085. It is one of Spain's best examples of Islamic architecture. It is square in layout with beautiful columns, domed ceilings and a central garden complete with fountain. It is a fantastic visit and one that will take you back in time to Moorish dominion over most of the Iberian Peninsula. There are no offical opening times, but the mosque can be visited by pre-arrangement.

Museo de Santa Cruz

The museum displays a collection of paintings by El Greco, Goya, Ribera, Lucas Jordán, Carducho and other artists from Toledo along with valuable objects like ivory crucifix, Belgian wall-hangings, antique furniture, gold and silverwork. The archaeological exhibits include the skull of a mammoth and artifacts from the Roman, Visigoth, Arabic and mudéjar periods. There's an Industrial Arts section where you can see examples of popular culture and local crafts. The most striking features of this plateresque building are its entrance, the elegant courtyard, the grand staircase and the mudéjar and Renaissance style ceilings. You'll find it by Plaza de Zocodover.Admission is free. It is closed on New Year's Day, April first, Christmas Day, Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Catedral

A huge, solidly built Gothic structure built between the 13th and 15th centuries with unusual mudajar-style decoration and vaults in the apse. Take a look at the extraordinary main altarpiece, the statues and frescoes in its 22 chapels, the Renaissance-style choir stalls and the plateresque wrough-iron work. However, the biggest attractions are kept in the museum (EUR 4.80): paintings by El Greco, Van Dyck, Titian, Lucas Jordan and Rafael along with Enrique de Arfe's 3.8m 16th century monstrance crafted out of gold and silver. Mass is conducted in Spring & Summer. The timings are 8a, 8:30a, 9a, 9:30a (Mozarabic), 10a, 11a, 11:45a, 6p & 7p M-Sa, 8a, 9a, 10a (Mozarabic), 11a, noon, 6p & 7p Su. Autumn & Winter timings are 8a, 8:30a, 9a, 9:30a (Mozarabic), 11a, 5p & 6p M-Sa, 8a, 9a, 10a (Mozarabic), 11a, noon, 5p & 6p Su. Mozarabic liturgy is the Christian service that was celebrated during the Moorish occupation.Tourist admission to the cathedral and museums : 4,95 EUR

Puerta del Sol

The Puerta del Sol was once the principal gateway into the ancient walled city of Toledo. It leads directly to the Puerta de Bisagra and the Cristo de la Luz Mosque. It was originally built at the end of the 10th or the beginning of the 11th centuries but most of what we see today dates from the 14th. It is made up of various connected Moorish-style archways in stone and brick. It was previously known as the gateway of Herrería and San Ildefonso and takes its current name from the 18th century depiction of the sun and the moon in the centre of a triangular shield on the first arch.

Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes

An architectural jewel of the Spanish Gothic style whose outstanding features are the cloisters and the arched galleries. The ground floor houses numerous sculptures along with some fine carved stone reliefs depicting images of animals and vegetation. The upper storey has a richly decorated mudejar-style ceiling. The church's interior is a riot of decor containing delicate arches, coats-of-arms, huge eagles and a star-shaped dome. You'll find it by Puerta del Cambron gate. It was commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs to commemorate Spanish victory over King Alfonso of Portugal in 1476.

Alcázar - Museo del Ejército

The Military Museum is currently closed. They are expected to reopen in 2008. Toledo's hilltop fortress, the Alcạr, dominates the city. The Romans, Visigoths and Arabs all built fortifications on this site. Alfonso VI established himself here when he conquered Toledo for the Christians in 1085. In 1535, following the reconstruction of the fortress, Charles I of Spain took up residence. Since then, the Alcạr has been destroyed and rebuilt on several occasions, most recently in 1936 when one of the most famous incidents of the Spanish Civil War took place here. It was finally restored during the 1950's and now houses a library (biblioteca regional) and the Military Museum which contains an important collection of arms, uniforms and models of important historical battles. Admission: EUR 1.20

Jesuitas Iglesia de San Ildefonso

You'll find the Iglesia de San Idelfonso close to the Palacio de Lorenzana. It's also known as the "Jesuits' church" because it was built by this religious order and as "San Juan Bautista" because it used to be the parish church of St. John the Baptist. It is Baroque in style. Construction commenced in 1628 and took 90 years to complete. The best feature is the facade which is flanked by towers on two sides. In 1767, King Charles III expelled the Jesuits from Spain and they therefore had to forfeit this church although it was returned to them in 1937. At present the church only opens during services. Mass times: Spring and summer: 8p & 9p M-F, 9a, 8p & 9p Sa, 9a, 11:30a, 12:30p, 8p & 9p Su (except July & August), 8:30p & 9:30p Su in July & August, Autumn & winter: 9a, 7:30p & 8:30p M-Sa, 9a, 11:30a, 12:30p, 7:30p & 8:30p Su.

Iglesia de Santo Tomé

Santo Tome is one of Toledo's best known churches. It is well-situated near to El Greco's house and the old synagogues. The church dates from the twelfth century and was rebuilt in 1300. It boasts a beautiful Mudejar tower, but most of its visitors come mainly to see El Greco's most important painting, the Burial of Count Orgaz (1586-88), which is housed in a side chapel with its own separate entrance.

Sinagoga del Tránsito

One of the finest examples of mudejar architecture in Toledo, this rectangular building has a beautiful moulded ceiling and its walls are covered with Hebrew inscriptions and the Castilian coat of arms. It now houses the Museo Sefardi. Built by Samuel Halevi it was entrusted to the religious order of Alcantara after the Jews were expelled.

Convento de Agustinas Descalzas (las Gaitanas)

This convent for the Augustinian order of barefoot nuns, popularly known in Spain as "Las Gaitanas", is one of the many that have existed in Toledo for centuries. It is situated just a few metres from the Lorenzana Palace. This is a closed order which means that the nunnery building cannot be visited, but access is permitted to the seventeenth-century church attached. Don't miss the Rizi wall, completed at the end of the 1660's. Masses are celebrated at 8p M-Su.

Convento de Santa Úrsula

This convent belonging to a congregation of Augustinian Nuns was probably built between 1256 and 1259, although local historians cannot give an exact date for its foundation. It is located in the Historic District close to the Town Hall and is one of the Augustinian order's oldest convents in all of Spain. It was hugely wealthy and important towards the end of the 15th century. If you ask and are allowed in, look out for the magnificent 18th century choir stalls. Mass timings are: 7:30a M-Sa & 10:30a Su

Iglesia de Santa Justa y Rufina

This ancient church is near Toledo's central plaza, the Zocodover. Various architectural styles are combined within the building. The sixteenth century church was built around a still-standing Visigoth chapel dating from the tenth century. It plays an important role in the celebration of Easter in Toledo. Various Christian brotherhoods store their pasos (statues representing scenes from the Passion which are paraded through the streets during Easter) here. One of these organisations, the Brotherhood of Sacred Charity, was founded in the eleventh century during Alfonso VI's seige of the city. It aimed to provide a decent burial for both Muslims and Christians who died in battle. Mass timings are: 7:30p Sa, 12:30p Su.