Toledo Cathedral
Toledo Cathedral, also known as St. Mary's Cathedral, is the main cathedral of Spain, which is an architectural monument. In 1986, it was added to the World Heritage List.
Toledo Cathedral is considered one of the largest cathedrals in Spain: it is 60 meters wide, 120 meters long, and its top point is 44 meters high. The cathedral was built on the site of the Visigothic church. It is not known exactly when the church was built, but in 587 it was already built and it was rededicated after King Reccared I changed his faith from Arian to Christianity. This event was recorded in an inscription from the 16th century, located in the cloister of the cathedral. After this event, Toledo received the status of the center of Christianity in the Visigothic kingdom. In 711, the church became a mosque after the conquest of the city by the Moors, only in 1085 the Castilian king Alfonso VI reconquered the city. The Moors agreed to capitulate on the condition that they would not be persecuted and would leave the mosque to them, but in 1087 the king broke his promise and the mosque was rededicated to a Christian temple.
In 1212, a combined army led by Alfonso VIII defeated more than twice the superior army of the Moors, which played a significant role in liberating the Iberian Peninsula from the influence of the Moors. After that, the king decided to erect a huge temple building, but the intentions were destined to come true in 1226, when the old church was demolished and a new building began to be erected. The construction of the cathedral was completed in 1493. Toledo Cathedral was built in the Gothic style, which clearly shows the French influence. The cathedral has 5 naves - elongated halls formed by 88 columns and 72 arches. In the 14th century, the chapel of St. Blasius and cloister were added. The cathedral has a 90-meter-high north tower, which houses the 17-ton bell of Campagna Gorda. The south tower was also planned to be built, but the Mosarab chapel was built on its site.
Over the years, the buildings around the cathedral were closed, and therefore it is difficult to imagine the colossal size of the Toledo Cathedral. Only the main facade, facing the central square of Toledo, is clearly visible. The main facade has 3 entrances: the Gates of Hell, the Gates of the Last Judgment and the Gates of Forgiveness. It is believed that if you pass through the gate of forgiveness, you can receive forgiveness of sins if you truly repent.
