Museums in Centro & Zocodover (Toledo)

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

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

Alcázar - Biblioteca de Castilla-La Mancha

This stronghold was built by Alfonso VI on a hill high above the city on the site of the ruins of a Muslim fort. It is rectangular in structure and flanked by four square towers. The facade presents rows of balconies and windows and a walkway with banisters. Alsonso de Covarrubias was responsible for the picturesque gateway. Nowadays, it is not only the home of the Museo del Ejército (Army Museum), but also houses the Regional Library which holds important collections and archives. The library has all the latest technology and provides computer terminals for Internet access for library users.

Simón Artesanía

Step inside this delightful store to explore the history of damascene art (gold-encrusted arabesque designs on metal). You can watch the craftsmen at work, see the intricate production process and visit the little museum containing 100-year-old examples. The Simón family is a damascene dynasty of sorts and if you head up to number 36 Calle Comercio, you´ll find the workshop and store belonging to the son of the present patriarch - Julian Simón.

Sala de exposiciones del Archivo Histórico Provincial

This gallery and historical archive is housed in an old 17th century convent that was completely remodeled in 1984. Every fortnight they exhibit the work of young and up-and-coming local artists. They also hold a valuable collection of local and central government documents and serve as the headquarters for the "Fotopress" collection. The archives are available for consultation by bona fide researchers and historians studying a recognized related topic who apply for entry by prior arrangement. Admission: free.

Real Fundación de Toledo-Museo Victorio Macho

This museum brings together a selection from the works of sculptor Victorio Macho and it is situated right in the heart of the Aljama, Toledo's old Jewish Quarter, just a few meters from two ancient synagogues. The house was built in 1953 on a promontory called Tarpeya Rock. The works on show include sketches and models of monuments found in Spain and the Americas, as well as portraits of well-known personalities such as Unamuno. The sculptures of the artist's mother and his brother Marcelo are of particular note. A documentary about Toledo can be seen in one of the gallery spaces.

Centro de arte Julián Simón

This art centre, next to Gaitanas Convent, opened its doors in 1993. It promotes the work of its 17 resident international artists and contains a very unusual bar and restaurant. The restaurant furniture and the bar itself are all on wheels, so they can be moved to suit the layout of each exhibition. The works displayed are also all on sale. The bar imports exclusive foreign beers for viewers to imbibe while appreciating the art. The centre accepts all currencies and can arrange delivery of your purchases anywhere in Europe. Deliveries are sent out once a month.

Galería Tolmo

Galería Tolmo opened in 1971 and is located on the street which runs between Santa Isabel Convent and the Cathedral. The building was formerly a stable block, while the basement was used as a dungeon at one point. The gallery shows both paintings and sculpture and has exhibited the work of artists such as Feito and Alberto Corazón. There is also a storeroom containing graphic art. The programme changes every 25 days. Gallery is closed from July to August and 1/1, 25/12.

Sala de Exposiciones de la Cámara de Comercio

This unusual gallery space is housed within Toledo's Chamber of Commerce building beside the Lorenzana Palace. Exhibitions take place in the colonnaded area surrounding the interior courtyard. All forms of Art are displayed and the program changes fortnightly so there are no fixed visiting times although the building is always closed on Sundays. Admission is free. Timings depend on the exhibition.

Centro de promoción de la artesanía / Mezquita de las Tornerías

This council-run arts and crafts centre is to be found on a narrow street which runs into Calle Comercio near the Cathedral. The centre was set up in 1991 with the specific aim of creating a space for exhibiting craftwork from the region. Exhibitions change every two months. The medieval building which houses the centre is exceptional. Although not particularly noteworthy from the outside, the interior is both beautiful and simple. It is closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and 6th January.

Casa y Museo de El Greco

Many of the best paintings created by Domenikos Theotokopulos (better known as El Greco), the brilliant 16th-century artist, have been brought together in this attractive museum. They are displayed amongst period furniture and other objects alongside paintings and sculpture dating from the 15th to the 17th centuries. El Greco's most famous painting, El entierro del Conde Orgaz (The Burial of Count Orgaz), is in the nearby Santo Tome Church. You'll find the museum located in the heart of the old Jewish Quarter close to the Sinagoga del Transito.