A primate cathedral is the seat of a primate archbishop, a title granted to the oldest archdiocese. And yes, in Spain, this title belongs to Toledo Cathedral, as does the exhibition designed to take you through its eight centuries of history. It will open on 25 May and can be visited until 14 October.

This exhibition is the crown jewel of the anniversary celebrations. And for good reason: Primada. 8th Centenary of Toledo Cathedral will take place inside the cathedral itself, combining the beauty of the building with over 350 works of art that trace its 800-year history (from the 13th to the 18th century). Across more than 2,000 square metres, visitors will be able to admire works by Velázquez, El Greco, Zurbarán, Bellini and Giordano…

It’s common to admire these instruments in awe. What’s far less common is seeing them played—and even less so, responding to one another in a true musical “organ battle”. Toledo Cathedral will host three of these events during April, on 9, 11 and 25 April, featuring organists from around the world performing on seven of the cathedral’s working organs.

The sessions on 9 and 11 April have been designed to transport us back to Toledo in 1226, when King Ferdinand III of Castile arrived in the city and, under his reign, the Visigothic and Mozarabic seat began its transformation into the cathedral we know today. The performance on 25 April, meanwhile, will commemorate Corpus Christi, with a powerful musical experience evoking the spirit of traditional processions—a perfect way to celebrate the city’s most important festival.

If you’re looking for something that blends the best of both worlds—music and art—this is the event for you. It will take place on 18 April at Toledo Cathedral, in the Sacristy, in front of none other than the painting The Disrobing of Christ, by El Greco. The performance will offer a musical journey through the painter’s life, performed by the ensemble La Violondrina.

Any one of these plans would be reason enough to visit Toledo, but we encourage you to go one step further: after celebrating the 800 years of Toledo Cathedral, stay and celebrate the city itself. Wander through its cobbled streets, get lost in its narrow alleys and discover places like the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, a reminder of the three cultures that once coexisted here. Or visit the Círculo de Arte de Toledo, a former church that now houses a bar and a vibrant cultural programme. And when it’s time to recharge, ask for Toledo-style partridge or carcamusas. For dessert, stop by any bakery window that catches your eye and try toledanas or the ever-essential marzipan.

Sercotel Alfonso VI, Sercotel Toledo Imperial and Sercotel Toledo Renacimiento are our hotels in the city. Step inside, head to reception, and we’ll take care of the rest. Your room will be ready, and we’ll also welcome you with our pet-friendly kit if you’re travelling with the whole family. You’ll find our pillow menu waiting for you, and of course, a generous and delicious breakfast buffet—because this city requires plenty of energy to keep up with its rhythm.