Visit Santa María la Blanca for a cool, quiet break in Toledo’s old town

Located within Toledo’s old Jewish Quarter, Santa María la Blanca is unlike any other monument in the city. With its horseshoe arches, whitewashed walls, and beautiful symmetry, this former synagogue is worth adding to your Toledo itinerary. Built in the 12th century, it is one of the oldest surviving synagogues in Europe though today, it functions as a museum rather than a religious space.

In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know for your visit, from its layered history to what you can expect to see inside.

A brief history of Santa María la Blanca

1. Built in the 12th Century as a Synagogue

Santa María la Blanca was originally built around 1180 as a synagogue by Jewish craftsmen under Christian rule. Its construction reflects a period of relative coexistence in medieval Toledo, where Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities cohabited.

2. Converted into a Church in the 15th Century

In 1391, following anti-Jewish riots and growing religious tensions, the synagogue was seized and later consecrated as a Christian church. Although it stopped functioning as a synagogue, many of its original architectural elements remained intact.

3. Today, a museum and monument

While no longer used for worship, Santa María la Blanca is preserved as a historical site. It’s one of the few places in Spain where the cultural layers of the city’s past are so visibly present in a single space.

What to see inside Santa María la Blanca

1. Horseshoe arches

One of the most distinctive features is the series of elegant horseshoe-shaped arches that run through the space. These are a key feature of Moorish design and create a flowing, open interior that feels more like a hall than a traditional synagogue or church.

2. Whitewashed columns and capitals

The 24 octagonal pillars topped with floral capitals create a clean, uniform rhythm inside. Their white finish reflects natural light, giving the space a calm and open feel.

3. Mudéjar details

Look closer and you’ll see fine examples of Mudéjar decoration like plasterwork patterns and motifs that were influenced by Islamic art. These touches blend with the Romanesque and Gothic features added later.

Santa María la Blanca architecture

Santa María la Blanca is one of the best-preserved examples of Mudéjar architecture in Spain, a style that emerged under Christian rule but borrowed heavily from Islamic art and design. The horseshoe arches, use of brick and plaster, and geometric ornamentation are all typical of this tradition.

What makes it more unique is the building’s original function as a synagogue. Unlike later synagogues that drew influence from Gothic or Renaissance design, this one mirrors the aesthetics of Islamic mosques from Al-Andalus. It’s one of the few spaces in Europe that gives you a visual sense of how deeply connected these cultures were.