Renaissance Toledo

Puerta de Bisagra

Emperor Charles V ordered the construction of this gate, the most beautiful and emblematic entrance to the city. Although Arab in origin, it was reconstructed and extended in 1550 by the master builder Alonso de Covarrubias, who gave it a Renaissance style. Above two solemn masonry towers, the door is crowned with the shield of the two-headed eagle that Charles V granted Toledo.

Convento de Santo Domingo el Antiguo

Built in the 11th century and reformed in the 16th, this is one of the oldest convents in the city and the magnificent altarpiece is a work by El Greco.

Its church, with a Latin-cross floor plan, has a single nave and holds a large collection of altarpieces and paintings by El Greco. A large number of works of art can be found in the choir.

Hospital de Tavera- Museo Duque de Lerma

Construction of this monument, also called the Hospital de Afuera, was ordered by Cardinal Tavera in 1541.

On the inside of its Renaissance façade are two perfectly symmetrical wide patios with Doric columns and Ionic arches. The founder's sepulcher lies inside the church.

The museum holds works of art by artists such as El Greco, Ribera, Zurbarán, Sánchez Coello, Tiziano and Tintoretto.

Iglesia de los Jesuitas

From a privileged position at the highest point in the city, the towers of the Iglesia de los Jesuitas offers a panoramic view from within the city of Toledo.

Inside are 17th and 18th century sculptures and works by Matías Carmannini and Félix Bambi. The baroque church with its Ochavo - a 16th century large sumptuous room dedicated to the martyrs and witnesses of Christ - is outstanding.

Iglesia de San Román

This temple is in the Mudejar style, except for the large chapel which has served as an example of Plateresque style since remodelling that was done in the 16th century.

The church houses a museum whose walls are covered with beautiful and perfectly preserved 13th century Romanic mural paintings.

The museum holds reproductions of votive crowns from the Treasure of Guarrazar, Visigoth remains and a Caliphate-style arcade that reuses Visigoth capitals.

Museo de Santa Cruz

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Alcázar

Toledo's Alcázar is both the symbol of the city and witness to some of the most important events in Spanish history.

Its period of greatest splendour came during the reign of Charles I, when famous and important architects worked in this historic building.

At this time, it is closed and undergoing remodelling to hold the new Museum of the Army, which is expected to open in 2007. It will hold eight historical rooms with displays of items from antiquity to the 20th century and twelve rooms presenting different aspects of its varied collections.