ESSA Madrid: Toledo Cathedral

 

The very first thing I noticed about this cathedral was the lavish and tiered ornamentation above the three main entrances. Rows of stone carvings like shark's teeth sit above each door telling the stories of various saints, the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, and local leaders important to Toledo and its cathedral. These, along with the grandeur of the building as a whole, no doubt contributed to a very affective religious experience for the church’s patrons. This old and majestic church had spires that reached high into the sky above drawing the viewer’s eyes upwards. It was certainly an impressive building.

The Toledo Cathedral is important to the worship of Mary. The Virgin Mary wasn’t always so central to Catholic worship. According to our professors, her feast day, the Day of Annunciation, was moved from its original date around Lent to closer to Christmas which made it hugely popular. According to legend, Saint Ildefonsus of Toledo, the official responsible for this change, was visited by Holy Mary herself who rewarded him with a holy chasuble. This religious history is depicted in several places in the tympanum and throughout the church. This makes this church integral in Catholic history and local Toledo history.

Having a church like this ties the Toledo of today with its tour groups and souvenir shops to the Toledo of old. Both visitors to this ancient city and its locals have the opportunity to reach deep into the history of Spain. As they try to interact with the culture of Spain, Toledo and its cathedral are invaluable in forming connections and identity. Though it is found outside of the city itself, Toledo has close ties to the royalty of Madrid and the history of this royal family is, in some ways, written in the stone ornamentation of the cathedral.