Description of the attraction
One of the attractions of Toledo is the Tavera Hospital, otherwise called the Hospital of St. Juan Batista. This building is one of the rare examples of Renaissance architecture in Toledo.
The construction of the hospital was started by order of Juan Pardo de Tavera, cardinal and chief inquisitor of Toledo. The construction of the hospital building continued for many years: the main part of it was built between 1541 and 1603, while the outer walls were finally completed only in the 18th century. Many famous architects took part in the construction of the hospital building, among whom I would like to mention Alonso de Covarrubias, who began the construction, and Bartolome Bustamante.
The facade of the building, created in the style of the Florentine Renaissance, is made of Genoese marble. The walls of the building form a beautiful, cozy courtyard surrounded by a two-tiered arcade. The courtyard is divided into two parts by a magnificent portico. The hospital church is in the shape of a Latin cross with one nave. The altar of the church was designed by El Greco by his son Jorge Manuel. Inside the church is the tomb of Cardinal Tavera, created by the sculptor Berruguete. The crypt of the church also contains the remains of the Dukes de Lerma and Medinaceli.
In one of the parts of the hospital, a Museum was created in 1940, which displays household items, furniture, tapestries dating back to the 16-17 centuries, as well as works of art, among which you can see the works of El Greco, Ribera, Zurbaran, Luca Jordan and other great masters. Of great interest is the pharmacy displayed here with devices that were used in the 17th century.
