On Plaza del Conde in Toledo, this church is known for housing El Greco’s large painting The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. The work fills the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception with a dramatic scene divided between earth and heaven. The church itself is also worth a look: its Mudéjar brick tower rises above an interior with Gothic and Moorish details, Baroque altars and a 14th-century baptismal font. Allow time to take in both the painting and the architecture.
El Greco’s painting in the chapel
The main reason to enter the Church of Saint Thomas is The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, El Greco’s large painting in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Commissioned for the church in the 1580s, it depicts a scene divided between the earthly and the heavenly. The painting commemorates Gonzalo Ruiz de Toledo, Count of Orgaz, whose burial place is in the chapel.
The work draws the eye, and the space around it can become crowded. Take your time as you move through the viewing area, then look back at the chapel itself. The church is modest in scale, so a visit can be focused on the painting without overlooking the details around it.
A church built on an earlier mosque
The church was built in the 12th century on the site of a former mosque. It was renovated in the 14th century, and its tower is a prominent reminder of the Mudéjar style. The brick tower has scalloped arches and incorporates stonework from the earlier minaret.
Inside, Gothic and Moorish elements sit alongside two Baroque altars. A baptismal font dating to the 1300s is another detail to look for. These features give the church its own interest beyond the famous painting, with several periods of design visible in a compact space.
The Count of Orgaz and the church
Gonzalo Ruiz de Toledo, Count of Orgaz, was a local nobleman and a benefactor of the church. He died in 1323 and was buried in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. El Greco’s painting was made for this setting, linking the work to the church and the person it commemorates.
The church stands on Plaza del Conde, in Toledo’s old Jewish Quarter. Its address is Pl. del Conde, 4. The nearby El Greco Museum is another place to see works connected with the artist.
Häufige Fragen
What is the Church of Saint Thomas known for?
It houses El Greco’s The Burial of the Count of Orgaz in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.
How long should I allow for a visit?
About 30 minutes is a useful estimate for seeing the painting and the church.
What architectural details should I look for?
Look at the Mudéjar brick tower and its scalloped arches, as well as the Gothic and Moorish interior details, Baroque altars and 14th-century baptismal font.
When is a quieter time to visit?
Early in the day or on a weekday is suggested to avoid the busiest periods.
