Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes

The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes

The Toledo audio-guided tour presents you with the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, an imposing building willed by the Catholic Monarchs, a masterpiece of Isabelline Gothic.

A monument to the glory of the Catholic Monarchs

The monastery was raised at the request of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, to commemorate the battle of Toro, a decisive stage of the war of succession they won against Portugal, and to celebrate the birth of their son, Prince John. It was originally to serve as a royal mausoleum, but the sovereigns finally chose Granada for their last rest. The finest example of Isabelline Gothic in Spain, the building impresses with its cold and imposing beauty, which makes one feel the dimension of the Catholic Monarchs. Its cloister and its church, richly adorned, are among the treasures of Toledo.

What there is to see

The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes invites contemplation in its two-level cloister and its church with flamboyant decor, the height of Isabelline Gothic. The chains of the freed Christian prisoners, hung on its façade, recall the symbolic significance of the place. It is an essential monument, a witness of the power of the Catholic Monarchs.

Practical information

The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes is in the historic centre of Toledo, near the former juderia. It can be visited according to hours to be checked on site; access is generally subject to a charge, for a small participation.

Why was the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes built?

To commemorate the battle of Toro and to celebrate the birth of Prince John, at the request of the Catholic Monarchs.

In what style is the monastery built?

In the Isabelline Gothic style, of which it is the most striking example in Spain.