1493 – Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo, Spain

Architect:

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The Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo was begun in 1226 during the reign of Ferdinand III and the last Gothic contributions were made in the 15th century when, in 1493, the vaults of the central nave were finished, during the times of the Catholic Monarchs. Although modeled after Bourges Cathedral, its five naves is the result of the constructors’ desire to cover all of the sacred space of the former city mosque with the cathedral, and of the former sahn with the cloister. It also combines some characteristics of the Mudéjar style, mainly in the cloister, and with the presence of multifoiled arches in the triforium. The spectacular incorporation of light and the structural achievements of the ambulatory vaults are some of its more remarkable aspects. It is built with white stone from Olihuelas, close to Toledo.

Published October 7, 2009 | Last Updated July 13, 2010