Toledo Cathedral is the Gothic cathedral of the primate of Spain, begun in the thirteenth century under King Ferdinand III and Archbishop Rodrigo Jimenez de Rada on the site of a former mosque. It was modelled on the French cathedrals of the period, such as Bourges, but gradually took on its own character, and construction continued for around two and a half centuries until the end of the fifteenth century. The interior holds an extraordinary collection of art, including the carved choir stalls, the huge altarpiece, and the Transparente, a baroque altar designed to let light fall on the Eucharist. Works by El Greco, Goya and Titian are among those in its sacristy, and the building is one of the highlights of Toledo's historic city centre.
Before and after
- from 1223 to 1242Mongol invasion of Europe
- from 1225 to 1687Chagatai Khanate
- 1225Birth of Thomas Aquinas
- 29 November 1225Council of Bourges
- 1226Construction of Toledo Cathedral
- 3 October 1226Death of Francis of Assisi
- 25 August 1227Death of Genghis Khan
- 1228Construction of Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi
- from 1228 to 1243War of the Lombards
More in Civilizations & archaeology
- 691 CEConstruction of Dome of the Rock
- 1066Construction of Tower of London
- 1342Construction of Palace of Westminster
- from 1368 to 1644Ming dynasty
- from 1370 to 1789Construction of Bastille
- from 1438 to 1533Inca Empire
The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 13th century.