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Entering through one of the gates of the city. |
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Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes, founded by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, built to commemorate their victory over the Portuguese, the Catholic Monarchs also originally planned to be buried here. |
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The monastery is an example of Gothic-Spanish-Flemish style, started in 1477 and completed in 1504. |
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Badly damaged by Napoleon's troops, the monastery was restored to the Franciscan order in 1954. Here a painting of the Franciscans who died in the Spanish revolution / war (1936-1939). |
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The high altarpiece (mid 16th century) by sculptor Felipe Bigarny and painter Francisco de Comontes, depicting scenes from the Passion and the Resurrection, as well as two scenes of the Santa Cruz legend. |
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The church is notable for its decoration of coats of arms of the Catholic Monarchs held by eagles. |
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The monastery also has a two level cloisters with garden. |
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Of note, hanging on the upper left exterior wall, are the chains of Christian prisoners freed from the Moors (Muslims), placed here as per the Queen's order of 1494. |
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Fr. Faulkner gives us lessons in Spanish history and the reconquista, the 800 year war to retake the Muslim controlled areas of spain (711-1492). |
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Church of St. Thomas (Santo Tom), now famous for its painting of El Greco. |
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The interior of the Church is not what the large crowds come to see, but rather a famous painting in the side-chapel. |
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The Burial of the Count of Orgaz is considered one of the finest works of El Greco. It illustrates a popular local legend, clearly divided into two sections, heaven above and earth below. |
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Approaching the Cathedral of Toledo, the Primate Cathedral of Saint Mary. The tower (92 m. = 301 ft) was completed in 1422. |
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One of three main doors, the Puerta del Perdon (Door of Forgiveness), from the 15th century. So called because there was a time indulgences were granted to penitents who entered through it. The sculpture depicts the Virgin giving the chasuble to Saint Ildephonsus. |
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This 13th century High Gothic cathedral is considered to be the pinnacle of the Gothic style in Spain. |
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Begun in 1226, yet the vaults of the central nave were not completed until 1493. |
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The exterior of the presbyterium or choir, where the cathedral priests would have prayed and sung. |
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Remarkable vast fresco of St Christopher carrying the Christ child. |
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Interior of the choir (presbyterium), carved and chiseled with figures from all sizes and mythological figures. |
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Famous image of La Virgen Blanca of Toledo at the entrance to the choir, a 12th century alabaster statue affectionately called "The White Virgin" because of its predominant color. |
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St. Matthew in the sacristy museum. |
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What a sacristy! |
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The cathedral is filled with numerous side chapels. This chapels of Saint Ildephonsus has a 17th century relief in marble again depicting the saint receiving a chasuble from the Virgin Mary herself. |
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The chapter-house, finished in 1514. Above the seats of honor are all the portraits of the archbishops of Toledo from Saint Eugene to the latest. |
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The Great Monstrance of Arfe measures nine feet tall. This monstrance is famous for being used in the annual feast of Corpus Christi of Toledo. (And would be used by the Pope at the World Youth Day vigil!) |
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Returning back to the Jesuit Church. |
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The Jesuit Church of Toledo is named after the patron saint of the city, San Ildefonso. |
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Constructed in the Baroque style around 1742. |
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St. Matthew |
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Inside the church are 17th and 18th century sculptures of Matas Carmannini and Flix Bambi. |
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From the towers of the Jesuit church, one gets a panoramic view of Toledo. Here the Cathedral tower and the Alcazar. |
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Some final pictures of the interior of the Jesuit church. |
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Fr. Schweiger's group poses with Don Quixote, Spain's most famous literary character from the story by Cervantes. |
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Entering the Museo de Santa Cruz. |
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Originally an important 16th century hospital, it was transformed into a museum in the 19th century. |
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The twelve apostles. |
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Recognize Saint Ildephonsus? It is a favorite theme to depict him receiving the chasuble from the Blessed Virgin. |
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By now you may also recognize the distinctive style of El Greco, seen in the next five paintings. |
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The Cathedral at night. |
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The Archbishop's "House" (Palacio Arzobispal). |
