A brief history of the Church of Santo Tomé
Founded in the 12th Century
The original structure was built shortly after Toledo was reclaimed from Muslim rule. It was constructed over the site of an older mosque, a common practice at the time to reassert Christian dominance in the region.
Rebuilt in the 14th Century
In the early 1300s, the church was almost entirely reconstructed by Gonzalo Ruiz de Toledo, the Lord of Orgaz. He funded the building project and was later buried there. His tomb later became the subject of El Greco’s painting.
Baroque and later additions
Over the centuries, elements like the main altarpiece and some chapels were added in Baroque style. The bell tower, with its Mudéjar design, is one of the few remnants of the original mosque structure.