Church of San Ildefonso, Toledo facts for kids
The Church of San Ildefonso (also called Iglesia de San Ildefonso in Spanish) is a beautiful old church in the city of Toledo, Spain. It was built in a fancy style called Baroque. Many people also know it as the Jesuit church because it was built by the Jesuits, a group of Catholic priests. The church is dedicated to Saint Ildefonso of Toledo, who is a special saint for the city.
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Building the Church
Building this church took a very long time, more than 100 years! Work started in 1629. The Jesuits, who are a religious group, bought the land for the church way back in 1569. This spot was special because it was believed to be the birthplace of Saint Ildefonso.
Two important people, Pedro and Estefanía Manrique, helped start the project. They were very devoted to Saint Ildefonso. A document from that time said:
It is believed that the glorious Saint Ildefonso was born in these houses where we are building. Because we, Don Pedro and Doña Estefanía Manrique, have great devotion to this saint, we want this church to be named after him. We also want his image to be placed in the main part of the altar.
The church's design was inspired by other Jesuit churches in Spain and the famous Church of the Gesù in Rome.
Who Designed and Built It?
The first design for the church is thought to have come from Jan Bautista Monegro, who was a master builder at the Toledo Cathedral. A Jesuit brother named Pedro Sánchez was in charge of the building work. When Sánchez passed away in 1633, another Jesuit, Francisco Bautista, took over. He designed the front of the church and the large decorated screen behind the altar.
In 1669, Bartolomé Zumbigo, a builder from Toledo, continued the work. He finished the church's tall towers and the main front. The Church of San Ildefonso was officially opened in 1718. However, some parts, like the room where priests prepare (called the sacristy) and the main chapel, were not yet finished.
The church was finally completed in 1765 under the direction of Jose Hernandez Sierra.
A Difficult Time for the Jesuits
Sadly, just two years after the church was finished, the Jesuit group faced a big challenge. In 1767, King Charles III of Spain ordered all Jesuits to leave Spain. This happened after some public unrest. Because of this, the Jesuits lost control of the church. They did not get it back until the 1900s.
Images for kids
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The beautiful interior of the church
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Ildefonso (Toledo) para niños
- List of Jesuit sites
