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Monastery · Toledo, Castela-Mancha
Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes
Franciscan monastery ordered built by the Catholic Monarchs to commemorate the Battle of Toro and the birth of Prince Juan. Work by Juan Guas, in the Isabelline Gothic style, with a two-storey cloister.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes
Isabel and Fernando, the Catholic Monarchs, ordered the monastery to be built to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Toro in 1476 and the birth of their son, Prince Juan, in 1478. The original idea was to make it the royal family's pantheon, but after the conquest of Granada in 1492 the monarchs chose to be buried there.
The architect was Juan Guas, who worked with Egas Cueman. The building is the principal example of Isabelline Gothic, a style that blends flamboyant Gothic with details from the Moorish tradition. The monastery was handed over to the Franciscans and still belongs to the order today.
The church has a single nave, with chapels between the buttresses and a dome over the altar. The walls of the transept are covered with the coats of arms of the Catholic Monarchs.
The cloister, of two storeys surrounding a garden, is the most photographed part, with arches and pillars covered in Gothic decoration.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 40 minutes to an hour for the church and the two storeys of the cloister.
Best time
Late in the afternoon, when the light enters the cloister from the side and the morning groups have already gone. Check opening hours before you go.
How to get there
It is on Calle de los Reyes Católicos, at the western end of the old judería, next to Santa María la Blanca and about 300 metres from the Puente de San Martín.
Tip
Go up to the upper floor of the cloister, which offers a different view of the garden and the arches. Entrance is included in the Pulsera Turística, the combined ticket for the monuments administered by the archdiocese.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes
Are the Catholic Monarchs buried in San Juan de los Reyes?
No. The monastery was intended as a pantheon, but after the conquest of Granada the monarchs chose to be buried in that city.
What is Isabelline Gothic?
It's the style from the time of Isabella I of Castile, a highly decorated late Gothic, with coats of arms, royal emblems and elements of Moorish tradition. San Juan de los Reyes is its main example.
What's the best part of the visit?
The two-story cloister surrounding the garden.
What is it near?
From Santa María la Blanca, about 100 meters, and from the Puente de San Martín, down the street.