We invite you to immerse yourself in this historical experience through a 360º virtual tour of the Church of El Salvador. Explore its architectural treasures and the history hidden behind its walls.
What to See in Toledo
The Church of El Salvador in Toledo is a true historical gem. Despite being located in one of the busiest areas of the old town, it remains one of Toledo’s lesser-known churches for many visitors. If you’re considering what to see in Toledo, don’t miss this iconic building, which not only reflects the city’s rich cultural heritage but has also witnessed the influence of various civilizations over the centuries.
Its fascinating history begins in the 9th century when it was originally constructed as a mosque. Remnants of its Islamic past are still visible, such as the minaret, the tower of the Church of El Salvador, and its Arab arches. In the 12th century, under the reign of Alfonso VII, the mosque was transformed into a church following a miracle associated with Queen Berenguela of Barcelona.
The architecture of the church is equally intriguing, merging styles that reflect Roman, Visigothic, Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque influences. Inside, visitors can admire an impressive collection of Visigothic reliefs that decorate the Roman friezes and cornices integrated into the walls, along with characteristic horseshoe arches, clear evidence of its Islamic origin.
In the heart of Toledo, the Church of El Salvador holds a true historical treasure that invites you to discover the city’s rich cultural legacy: the emblematic Visigothic pilaster. This monument was uncovered in 1949, during restoration work on one of the side naves, when workers removed a layer of plaster, revealing the remains of a small mosque built with Roman and Visigothic elements.
In the epistle nave, an arcade of seven supports is preserved, six of which are Roman columns and one is a Visigothic pilaster featuring scenes from the life of Christ. This pilaster, one of the oldest pieces in the church, stands out for its historical and artistic value, showcasing a design that combines Visigothic and early Christian influences. The sculpted scenes, including the Resurrection of Lazarus and the Healing of the Hemorrhaging Woman, are a testament to the significance of this place throughout the centuries.
This pilaster, known as the San Salvador pilaster of Toledo, is, according to the researcher Père de Palol, the oldest piece of Hispano-Visigothic figurative sculpture that remains preserved. Its beauty lies in its meticulous decoration: on its four sides, a symbolic and detailed ornamentation unfolds. Two of these sides show Eucharistic motifs with friezes of vessels and loaves, while a third side features three delicate attached columns, highlighting the artistic connection between the workshops of Mérida and Toledo.
But it’s the fourth side that truly captivates, as it features four New Testament scenes sculpted in four overlapping fields, inviting visitors on a journey through the spiritual past of the Peninsula. Visiting the pilaster in the Church of El Salvador is undoubtedly an opportunity to delve into the history and art that shaped Toledo and Spain’s identity.
Recent excavations have revealed Roman and Visigothic structures beneath the church, allowing visitors to explore the hidden history of this sacred site. At the rear of the church, near the apse, remains of the original “musalla” or ablution courtyard of the mosque have been uncovered. This space, which for centuries was used as a cemetery after the building’s conversion into a Christian temple, had remained sealed.
Among the most significant finds at this site, built on late Roman foundations, are a cistern and four slightly horseshoe-shaped brick arches framed by individual alfizes. These arches rest on three reused cylindrical columns topped with capitals, two of Roman origin and one Visigothic.
Don’t miss it!
360º virtual tour of the Church of El Salvador
