Three years after taking
Toledo, in 1086, Alfonso VI secured for the city the status of Spain's
primate, a fact which had continued (though fluctuating) economic
and artistic repercussions on the city up to the mid twentieth century.
Various historical circumstances led to the need for important buildings
to be placed beyond the city walls. This visit goes from the outside
into the city. The Hospital Tavera was designed to a large extent
by Alonso de Covarrubias. The most beautiful part is the double two-storey
courtyard with an open central gallery. The decoration on the first
floor is of smooth mouldings, mirrors of black stone and a frieze
of triglyphs and metopes, whereas the upper floor uses seg |