Church of St Just and St Rufina, Catholic church in Toledo, Spain
The Church of St Just and St Rufina is a Catholic church in Toledo featuring a semicircular apse and polygonal exterior walls. Its structure combines rounded arches with multifoil decorative forms, characteristic of the Romanesque style developed in this region.
The structure was built around 1201 and likely stands on foundations of a 10th century Islamic mosque. This transformation from mosque to church documents the religious changes that Toledo experienced during the medieval period.
The church blends Christian and Islamic architectural elements, reflecting the religious diversity that characterized medieval Toledo. This mixture remains visible in the rounded arches and geometric proportions, showing how different faith communities shared the city's space.
The church is accessible during regular opening hours for visitors to explore the interior. Time spent observing the architectural details and spatial arrangement helps appreciate how the different design elements work together.
The interior preserves fragments of original medieval murals and brick patterns arranged in a herringbone design. These details reveal how the church once looked and what craftsmanship techniques were employed during its construction.
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