Santa María la Blanca

Santa María la Blanca is the name of former synagogue Ibn Shushan in the Spanish city of Toledo. The converted to a Catholic church synagogue is now a museum.

History

In the 12th century, more than 12,000 Jews lived in Toledo and their synagogues were influenced by Moorish art. According to an inscription, the synagogue was built in 1180 and in 1405 converted to a Catholic church, which was handed over to the Calatravaorden. At this time it acquired its current name, la Blanca ( the White '), which was inspired by the 28 white horseshoe arches that support the ceiling Artesonado.

Style

Reconstruction in the 16th century altered the main chorus, but the rest of the building retained the appearance of a mosque in the Almohad. The five ships are separated by white arcades and horseshoe arches resting on 24 pillars. The capitals are made of pine cones and Flechtwerkmustern.