Be prepared for crowds at busy times of year - this is a popular painting!
The Church of St. Tomé is one of Toledo’s best examples of Mudéjar architecture. Mudéjar is a distinctive decorative style typical of Toledo, strongly influenced by Moorish workmanship: it is a legacy of the Islamic conquest of Spain in 711 AD, which saw the melding of Gothic and Islamic styles and was followed by the unique Arabic-European coexistence of the Convivienca.
St. Tomé was originally built in the 12th century, but completely rebuilt in the 14th century thanks to the generosity of the Count of Orgaz, a pious local lord who is buried in its chapel. It is particularly famed for its tower, a Moorish masterpiece featuring pointed windows, miniature columns and horseshoe-shaped, scalloped and lobed arches. As is characteristic of the style, it is composed of elaborate brickwork that enlivens its flat surface.
Inside the church is a 1568 masterpiece by El Greco, Toledo’s most famous resident: The Burial of the Count of Orgaz is considered one of the artist’s finest works. The church is worth visiting for the painting alone, especially for the treat of seeing it in its original setting rather than in a museum, but the building itself is a delight and makes for an elegant contrast to Toledo’s huge, grandiose Cathedral.
Join the fastest growing community of professional tour guides.
Use our easy to integrate toolset to include Tours & Attractions in your customer journey.