3. THE "TRANSPARENTE"

 

The Transparente is one of the most surprising and original features of Toledo Cathedral. It is a large Baroque altarpiece built in the 18th century (around 1732) by the Spanish artist Narciso Tomé. You can find it behind the main altar, in the ambulatory (the space behind the choir and altar).

It is called the Transparente because it includes a hole in the ceiling that lets natural light come in from above. This light shines directly onto the tabernacle (the golden box that holds the holy bread), making it look like it’s glowing with light from heaven. The idea was to create a connection between earth and sky, between the church and God.

The Transparente is a mix of sculpture, painting, architecture and light — all combined to create a dramatic effect. This is typical of the Baroque style, which wanted to impress people and make them feel emotion and wonder.

The structure includes marble columns, angels, clouds, rays of light, and even rocks breaking open. If you look closely, you will see angels flying, pointing, and looking down from the hole in the ceiling. 

There are also painted skies and scenes of the Eucharist, the most important part of the Catholic Mass.

Narciso Tomé worked with his four sons to build this masterpiece. At the time, some people loved it and others thought it was “too much” or too theatrical for a cathedral. But today, it is considered one of the best examples of Spanish Baroque art.