Museo de Santa Cruz
Museum of fine arts, archaeology and decorative arts in the former Hospital de Santa Cruz in Toledo, a Renaissance building with works by El Greco.
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About the museum
The museum occupies the former Hospital de Santa Cruz, founded by Cardinal Pedro González de Mendoza and built at the beginning of the 16th century as a general hospital and foundling home. Antón and Enrique Egas and Alonso de Covarrubias were involved in its design and construction. It is a landmark of Spanish Renaissance architecture, with a Greek-cross plan, two storeys, a central crossing and two cloisters; the portal, the main cloister and the Covarrubias staircase stand out. The building has been a Bien de Interés Cultural since 1902.
The museum was created and opened to the public in 1961. The fine arts are displayed between the first and second floors, archaeology in the Claustro Noble and in the basement, and decorative arts, including popular Toledan craftwork, also in the basement. The collection holds works by El Greco, from La Verónica con la Santa Faz, c. 1580, to the Retablo de la Inmaculada Concepción of 1613, as well as painting from the 15th to the 17th century, tapestries, furniture and banners, such as the banner of the battle of Lepanto.
Other outstanding pieces are the bust of Juanelo Turriano, the mosaic of the Four Seasons, a crucifix and the Efebo de Toledo, found in the centre of the city. In 2021 the Government of Castilla-La Mancha acquired the Carranza collection, some 480 ceramic pieces from the 14th to the 19th century, which the museum had been exhibiting on loan for twenty years. The museum depends on the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha.
Highlights
- Works by El Greco, such as La Verónica con la Santa Faz and the Retablo de la Inmaculada Concepción
- Renaissance building of the former Hospital de Santa Cruz, with portal, cloisters and Covarrubias staircase
- Carranza collection of some 480 ceramic pieces from the 14th to the 19th century
- Banner of the battle of Lepanto and bust of Juanelo Turriano
- Mosaic of the Four Seasons and Efebo de Toledo
Permanent exhibition
- Colección permanente del Museo de Santa Cruz – Fine arts with paintings by El Greco and other masters from the 15th to the 17th century, archaeology in the Claustro Noble, and decorative arts including the Carranza ceramic collection.
- Founded
- 1961
- Operated by
- Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2Groups of 10 or more people with a booked visit |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s, with accreditation. |
| Seniors | freeFree admission for people over 65, with accreditation. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and their companion, with accreditation. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree admission for students aged 18 to 26, with accreditation. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €2 per personGroups of 10 or more people with a booked visit; they must notify the museum by email. |
| Families | freeFree admission for large families, with accreditation. |
Free admission: Wednesdays from 16:00, Sundays, and 18 and 31 May.
The museum's website currently states that admission is temporarily free, with no end date. The ordinary rates are €4 for general admission and €2 for reduced admission. Teachers, guides, journalists, researchers and unemployed people also enter free, with accreditation. Tickets are bought at the ticket office or online.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | free · Free admission for large families, with accreditation. |
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The museum publishes an activity booklet for children from the age of 6.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum offers downloadable guides to the collection, the cloister and the building in Spanish and English, and a guide to Renaissance and Baroque painting. The library, specialised in history and art, is for consultation only and opens in the mornings from 10:00 to 14:00 (phone 925 26 93 91). |
