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Convent of Santa Úrsula, Toledo facts for kids

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Convento Santa Ursula (panorámica)
The back of St Ursula's Convent, showing its old architecture.

The Agustinas Ermitañas Convento Santa Úrsula is an old convent in the city of Toledo, Spain. It was founded in 1259 by a group of Augustinian sisters. A convent is a place where nuns live and pray together. This special building has a long history and beautiful art.

History of the Convent

The Santa Úrsula Convent was started way back in 1259. This means it's over 750 years old! It was built for Augustinian nuns, who are a type of Catholic religious sister. They dedicate their lives to prayer and helping others. The convent has been an important part of Toledo's history for centuries.

The Church and its Architecture

The church inside the convent was built a bit later, around 1360. It's famous because it still has some of its original Mudéjar style. Mudéjar is a unique Spanish art and architecture style. It mixes Christian and Islamic designs. Imagine buildings with beautiful brickwork, geometric patterns, and horseshoe arches. This style was created by Muslim craftsmen living in Christian Spain. The church's design shows how different cultures blended together in Spain long ago.

Famous Art inside: The Reredos

One of the most important artworks in the convent is a large piece called a reredos. A reredos is a decorative screen or wall that stands behind the altar in a church. It often has carvings, paintings, or sculptures. The reredos at Santa Úrsula was made in 1535. It was created by a very famous Spanish artist named Alonso Berruguete. He was known for his amazing sculptures and paintings. His work at the convent is a great example of the art from that time period.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Convento de Santa Úrsula (Toledo) para niños

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