The Toledo Mosque, an 11th century heritage jewel, is reborn: from a medieval place of worship to a cultural center of excellence
After more than ten years of closure and major restoration work, the Tornerías Mosque, an 11th-century architectural gem located in the historic center of Toledo, 70 kilometers south of Madrid, has just reopened its doors to the public. This historic city, former capital of medieval Spain and famous for its coexistence of three cultures (Christian, Muslim and Jewish), sees one of its emblematic monuments come back to life. It is important to note that this historic monument, deconsecrated since 1498, has not regained its original religious function.
This rehabilitation, whose budget has doubled to reach 2.2 million euros due to unexpected archaeological discoveries, transforms the building into a multi-purpose space dedicated to local crafts and tourism. The building, classified as cultural heritage, will house the Regional Crafts Center of Castile-La Mancha as well as a tourist office.
The first exhibition will be devoted to damascene work, a local artisanal technique currently being classified as cultural heritage. During the inauguration, regional president Emiliano García-Page highlighted the importance of preserving this multicultural heritage, witness to Spain’s rich history. Patricia Franco, Advisor for the Economy, Business and Employment, insisted on the meticulous nature of the restoration work. She notably highlighted the “Legado Artesano” (Artisanal Heritage) project, recently awarded the National Craft Awards, which helped promote regional crafts as far as Milan, Paris and Madrid.
This ambitious project, supported by local authorities, aims to make this historic place a new center of cultural and artisanal attraction in the heart of Toledo, thus reconnecting with its vocation as a crossroads of cultures and know-how, while respecting its rich architectural past.