Church of San Vicente, Toledo facts for kids
.jpg)
The Church of San Vicente is an old church in Toledo, Spain. It was first mentioned as a church in 1125. Some records say King Alfonso VI started it. This was soon after he took over Toledo in 1085 during the Reconquista, a time when Christian kingdoms took back land from Muslim rule.
Contents
Discovering the San Vicente Church
The building you see today has been changed and rebuilt many times over the years. The oldest part that still remains is the Mudéjar apse. An apse is the rounded or multi-sided end of a church, usually where the altar is.
A Look at Its History
Experts believe the apse was built around the 13th century. It looks a lot like the apse of another church in Toledo, called Cristo de la Vega. Both churches have a special design where the outside of the apse really stands out.
The Mudéjar style is unique. It mixes Christian and Islamic art styles. This happened because Christian builders often used techniques and designs from Muslim artists who lived in Spain.
Unique Mudéjar Details
One cool feature of the apse is the use of decorative bands called friezes. These friezes separate different levels of arches. The arches themselves are also interesting. They include folded half-point arches and pointed horseshoe arches. These are similar to those found in the Cristo de la Vega church.
Over time, some changes were made to the apse. A large Baroque-style shield was added to the center. Also, two openings were made to let light into the main chapel and a hidden crypt below.
Inside the apse, you can still see a double row of simple, blind horseshoe arches. These arches decorate the walls all around the apse.
The Gothic Chapel
On the right side of the apse, a small Gothic chapel was built into the thick wall. This chapel has a special ceiling called a cross-vault. It was added in the early 14th century.
From Church to Art Center
The Church of San Vicente stopped being a parish church in 1842. A parish is a local church community. Today, the building is home to the Toledo Art Circle. This means it is now part of the Toledo Museum of Art. It serves as a place for art and culture.
