San Juan de los Reyes Monastery

THE IMPOSING GOTHIC MONASTERY WHERE THE CATHOLIC MONARCHS WERE TO REST ETERNALLY

GET TO KNOW THE MONUMENT

What to see in San Juan de los Reyes Monastery

One of the most valuable examples of the Elizabethan gothic style in Toledo and Spain, its majesty will not leave you indifferent.

Juan Guas and completed in 1495. The Flemish artist Egas Cueman participated in its profuse decoration, which amazes the visitor.

San Juan de los Reyes Monastery is the largest architectural work executed by the Catholic Monarchs and its decoration, full of symbolism, is a continuous homage to their reign, their beliefs and their politics.

From its outer walls hang the chains carried by the christian slaves of the nasrid kingdom of Granada, as recent studies have shown, confirming the old Toledan tradition.

Isabel the Catholic decided to dedicate it to Saint John in memory of her father Juan II to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Toro in 1476 and the birth of Prince Juan in 1478, with the wish that it should be his royal pantheon.

San Juan de los Reyes was seriously damaged by Napoleon’s troops, but was brilliantly restored by the architect Arturo Mélida at the end of the 19th century, restoring its splendour to its famous cloister and its colossal church.

Its profusely decorated gothic cloister has sculptures of great beauty and gargoyles with very curious shapes that are a display of imagination and skill of the carvers.

In the imposing coats of arms of the Catholic Monarchs you can find a multitude of symbolic details with which the monarchs wanted to transcend and remain in the memory of our history for centuries. Can you identify them?

Majestic monastery witness to Spanish history

Considered one of the most beautiful gothic temples in Spain, San Juan de los Reyes Monastery was conceived as the burial place of the Catholic Monarchs.

Its majesty impresses all its visitors. A stroll around its walls allows you to soak up the history of Spain and discover the monarchs’ devotion to San Juan. Monastic life, characterised by silence and tranquillity, is one of its hallmarks.

Its two-storey cloister, with abundant vegetation and coffered ceilings, makes visitors feel as if they were in paradise.

San Juan de los Reyes Monastery was ordered to be built by the Catholic Monarchs in Toledo in gratitude for their victory at the Battle of Toro in 1476.

Initially intended as their burial place, they were finally buried in the Royal Chapel in Granada. Dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist, the monastery reflects the devotion of Isabella the Catholic. Construction began in 1477 under the direction of Juan Guas and Enrique Egas. Despite the damage suffered during the french invasion and the disentailment of the 19th century, the monastery was restored and today is once again home to the franciscans.

San Juan de los Reyes Monastery, designed by Juan Guas, is a magnificent example of hispano-flemish gothic style. With a single nave and side chapels, it is notable for its star-shaped vaults and heraldic decoration. The transept, with its star-shaped vault, is particularly majestic. The exterior of the building, with its vertical pinnacles, simulates a funerary catafalque. The cloister, with its garden evoking an earthly paradise, adds a dimension of serenity and beauty. Restored in the 19th century, the monastery is a Gothic masterpiece, enriched with baroque and neo-gothic elements, and houses important religious sculptures and paintings.

Visit the Monument

Buy your tickets to visit San Juan de los Reyes Monastery

Toledo tourist wristband ticket

The best option for those looking to get to know the historic centre of the city of Toledo. See 7 of the main monuments with a great discount and save time on your visit.

Buy your tickets online and visit comfortably. With the tourist bracelet we offer you the possibility to visit 7 of the most important and emblematic monuments of Toledo.

Toledo Monumental - Pulsera Turística

Buy online the Toledo Monumental tourist wristband and save on your visit to 7 of the main monuments of Toledo.

14,00€ 28,00€

Buy the tourist wristband

Single Ticket

Would you like to visit the Monastery with friends or family and you are less than 20 people?

Buy your tickets online and visit comfortably. The single ticket to San Juan de los Reyes Monastery includes:

· Individual entrance to the San Juan de los Reyes Monastery (Cloister, Church, Old Sacristy, Balcony and Royal Tribune) . For religious celebrations, the Church could be accessed through the main door and not through the Lower Cloister.
· We have QR audioguides in Spanish, English, French and German, not included in the price of admission or the tourist bracelet.

General admission

Access to the Cloister, Church, Old Sacristy, Balcony and Royal Tribune for visitors over 16 years of age.

4,00€

Admission for children, students and Carnet Joven

Admission for children from 11 to 16 years old, student card holders and Carnet Joven (presenting the student or youth card).

3,00€

Entrance fee for large family and disabled up to 64%

Special discounts for large families (presenting the large family card and ID) and people with disabilities under 64% (presenting the disability card).

2,50€

Resident entrance Toledo

Every Sunday afternoon, from 15:00, free entry.

2,00€ 4,00€

Prices per person. Children up to 10 years old free. People with disabilities over 64%, free. Must show at the ticket office the document proving the condition in the cases of Large Family, Youth Card, Students and Residents.

Buy Tickets

School visits

Entrance for educational groups: Schools, Institutes, Universities, Vocational Training Centres, etc…

Schools, upon presentation of a letter of introduction from the school in question, may purchase tickets for individual monument visits or purchase the tourist bracelet. For every 10 bracelets purchased, one free ticket will be provided for the teacher or person in charge.

School Visits – General Admission

Individual visit to San Juan de los Reyes Monastery.

3,00€ 4,00€

School Visits Tourist Wristband

Buy the Toledo Monumental tourist wristband online.

14,00€ 28,00€

Buy online

Choose your type of ticket, the day you plan to visit, the number of tickets and pay securely online with Visa, MasterCard or PayPal.

Receive your tickets

We will send you the tickets in PDF to your email and you will be able to access the monument by presenting your tickets or by saving them in your Apple Wallet or Google Pay wallet.

Take the tour

Show your ticket at the monument’s ticket office and don’t forget your camera, as you are allowed to take photographs and videos without flash inside the monument.

Where to find it

How to get to San Juan de los Reyes Monastery

C. de los Reyes Católicos, 17, 45002 Toledo, España

Opening hours

Visiting hours

You can visit the monument from Monday to Sunday with the following timetable:

Summer schedule
From March 1st to October 15th
10:00 – 18:45 h.
Winter schedule
From October 16th to February 28th
10:00 – 17:45 h.

Open from Monday to Sunday.

  • Ticket offices close 20 minutes before closing time.
  • 1st January and 25th December closed.
  • 24th and 31st December until 13:00.

Eucharistic Schedule

The parish celebrates at least one Eucharist daily:

Summer timetable.

  • Every day and holiday eves: 20:00 h.
  • Sundays and public holidays: 9:30, 13:00 and 20:00 h.

Winter timetable

  • Daily and eve of public holidays: 19:00 h.
  • Sundays and public holidays: 9:30 am, 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

BLOG

Related news

Follow the monument’s news and keep up to date with all the latest news: masses, celebrations, workshops, exhibitions, concerts and much more!

Between two worlds, the transition from Gothic to Renaissance in San Juan de los Reyes

  The Staircase of San Juan de los Reyes as a Symbol of a Changing Era In the heart of Toledo, the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes holds a surprise that goes unnoticed by many visitors. Among Gothic walls rises a distinctive staircase, bright, almost defiant. It was designed by Alonso de Covarrubias […]

The symbolism hidden in the Pelican Gate of the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes

  The Pelican Gate: Stone, Faith, and Symbol in Perfect Harmony The Pelican Gate, also known as the Calvary Gate, is one of the most emblematic portals of the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo. This masterpiece of Hispano-Flemish Gothic art combines elements of profound symbolic meaning with exceptional technical execution.   […]

The Origin of the Yoke and Arrows: Emblems of the Catholic Monarchs

  Where Do the Emblems of the Catholic Monarchs Come From? In the transition from the Middle Ages to Modernity, Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, the Catholic Monarchs, understood that imagery held as much political power as the word or the sword. Aware of this, they decided to adopt two symbols which, despite […]

The Isabeline Art: Artistic Expression of a Unified Monarchy

  Isabeline art, also known as the Catholic Monarchs’ style, is an artistic and architectural expression deeply linked to the dynastic unification of Castile and Aragon under Isabel I of Castile and Fernando II of Aragon in the last third of the 15th century. More than a transitional phase between Gothic and Renaissance, it represents […]

Juan Guas, architect of the Catholic Monarchs

  Juan Guas and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes Context and origin of the commission The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes was commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, to commemorate their victory at the Battle of Toro in 1476 and to celebrate […]

The queen’s balcony: privilege, faith, and sculpted stone in San Juan de los Reyes

Among the architectural jewels that Toledo holds, the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes occupies a prominent place not only for its Gothic splendor but also for the secrets hidden within its walls. One of the most evocative spots is the so-called “Queen’s Balcony,” an elevated lookout from which Isabella the Catholic quietly and […]

The Hidden Symbolism of the Gargoyles of the Cloister of San Juan de los Reyes

  A Mystery Carved in Stone Walking through the cloister of the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo is like stepping into a space where spirituality and art intertwine to create an atmosphere filled with mystery. Among the most intriguing architectural elements of this place are the gargoyles, which—beyond their structural function—spark […]
Bóvedas de San Juan de los Reyes

The art carved in stone: the vaults of San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo

Toledo, a city of history and art, is home to one of the greatest jewels of Isabelline Gothic architecture: the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes. This temple, built by order of the Catholic Monarchs, stands as a symbol of the architectural splendor of its time. Within its walls, the church’s vaults stand out […]

Frequently asked questions

Are there any discounts?

The wristband itself is a discount voucher, so no extra discount is applied to the price. You will save more than 60% compared to visiting the monuments individually.

Is there a specific route to visit the 7 monuments?

No, the wristband is intended for the convenience of the visitor, so you can buy the bracelet at any of the 7 monuments, and visit them all in the order you prefer.

Which monuments can I visit with the tourist wristband?

The Toledo Monumental tourist wristband allows you to visit San Juan de los Reyes Monastery, Santa María La Blanca Synagogue of , El Salvador Church, Santo Tomé Church, Cristo de la Luz Mosque, Jesuits Church (San Ildefonso) and the Royal College of Noble Maids.

How much does the Toledo tourist wristband cost?

The tourist wristband on the official website costs €14 per person.

How much is the individual ticket for each monument?

Individual entry to any of the monuments of Toledo Monumental costs €4 per person, each monument.

How does the tourist wristband work?

If you buy the wristband online, you must validate the voucher that you receive by email after purchase at any of the monuments and you will be provided with the physical wristband. The bracelet must be worn on your wrist to gain access to the different monuments.

Can I take photos inside the monuments?

Of course! You can take photos without flash at any of the monuments.

How much does the children's wristband and individual tickets cost?

Access to the monuments is free for children under the age of 11 when accompanied by an adult who has access.

How long is the wristband valid?

The bracelet is valid for seven days from the date of purchase. The material of which it is made even allows bathing, so you can wear it for all the days of your stay in Toledo.

Is it possible to buy tickets at the ticket offices of the monuments?

Both the individual tickets to the different monuments and the tourist bracelet can be purchased at the ticket office of any of the monuments, but if you want to save time, we recommend you to buy your tickets online through this link.

Are there any additional discounts for school visits?

No prior booking is required for school visits, and there are special rates for school groups, university groups, etc. All that is required is accreditation from teaching groups in the form of an official letter from the school, stamped and signed with the group’s details.
Visits to a monument have a reduced price of €3 for students.

Is it possible to visit all the monuments in 1 day?

It depends on how much time you spend at each monument but there are many tourists who visit all 7 monuments in one day. You can organise your visit to suit you and to make it easier, we ask you to share your location anonymously to show you how far you are from each monument and we show you the opening and closing times of each one.

COMMENTS

Visitor´s reviews

9417 Reviews

4.7
Helena S.
Es, para mi gusto, el conjunto arquitectónico católico más hermoso de Toledo. El exterior, que ya es imponente, fascina aún más con esas cadenas colgadas de la fachada que simbolizan la liberación de los presos cristianos que las sufrieron. El claustro, bella y profusamente decorado, es un verdadero jardín escultórico. Qué suerte haberlo podido disfrutar un día soleado como hoy.
Miguel M.
El Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes es, uno de los lugares más impresionantes para visitar en Toledo. La arquitectura gótica es espectacular, con detalles en cada rincón que reflejan el esplendor de la época de los Reyes Católicos. Desde el momento en que entras, te envuelve una sensación de paz y asombro por la belleza del lugar. El claustro es simplemente mágico, con su diseño cuidado y su ambiente tranquilo que invita a quedarse un buen rato disfrutando de la armonía del espacio. Las cadenas colgadas en el exterior, símbolo de los cautivos liberados, son un recordatorio poderoso de la historia que envuelve este lugar.
Álvaro
Increíble iglesia, una de las más importantes de Toledo. Cada detalle tallado en piedra espectacular, tanto seas religioso o no, deberías visitarlo. Merece mucho la pena. Entrada: 4€. (Incluida en la pulsera turística de iglesias que contienen 7 y su precio está en 12€)
Mari A.
Este precioso monasterio se encuentra en el barrio de la Judería de Toledo. Fue mandado construir por Isabel I para conmemorar la gran historia que supuso la Batalla de Toro. Está compuesto por la iglesia y el claustro. El claustro es bellísimo y los techos de la segunda planta están ricamente trabajados en madera, toda una obra de arte. También son de admirar las gárgolas del claustro a cuál más curiosa. Es una visita indispensable si estás en Toledo.