Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo

》Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo

There’s an interesting story behind the building of the Cathedral. When the Spanish conquered Toledo from the Muslims in 1085, Alfonso VI (the King of León and Castile) had promised the Muslim authorities that he would conserve the mosque that stood here. Shortly after, leaving Toledo for other affairs, his wife and the archbishop of Toledo colluded to seize the mosque by force. They built an altar and hung a bell in the minaret. Their actions almost provoked an uprising among the Muslim population.

Upon his return Alfonso VI was incensed and had some of the participants behind the action executed. In order to maintain peace, the story is that Muslim authorities decided to accept the conversion of the mosque to a church. In gratitude, a homage to the chief Muslim negotiator would later be built on one of the pillars in the main chapel.Read more