Toledo Cathedral (Ochavo Chapel and San Blas Chapel)

Built in the 13th century, the Toledo Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and houses several ornately decorated chapels, including the Ochavo and San Blás chapels. The Ochavo, or Octagonal Chapel, a High Renaissance reliquary room completed in the 1620s, was designed by Jorge Manuel Theotocopoulos, son of El Greco. He also painted the chapel’s ceiling frescoes. While structurally sound, the Ochavo required restoration when it was repurposed as a museum, addressing roof flaws and deterioration caused by neglect. The San Blás Chapel, adorned with murals attributed to 14th-century Florentine painter Gerardo Starnina, suffered from water infiltration and salt crystallization, leading to its closure in the 19th century. Both chapels required extensive conservation, including waterproofing and drainage improvements to preserve their artistry and structural integrity.