CATHEDRAL OF TOLEDO.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12502, 31 March 1909, Page 4

CATHEDRAL OF TOLEDO.

-The historic Cathedral of Toledo, Spain, one of the most magnificent Gothic buildings in the world, is in serious danger of collapse, owing to the dangerous condition of the central dome, /large cracks have appeared, and an earthquake shock which occurred the other day greatly increased the peril of the building. The ecclesiastical authorities, who are greatly 'alarmed ordered the immediate removal, o fthe priceless choir stalls to the Church of Trinity. A.conimitee of architects inspected the cathedral recently, and reported that extensive repairs were urgently needed. This committee has appealed to the Gorornmenfc for an immediate grant of £10,000. The Cathedral of Teledo, the' metropolitan church of Spain, wasljegun early in the thirteenth century, and took more than 250 years to build. The choir is in the centre of the building, and the central dome above, which is in danger of collapse, rises to a height of 100 feet. The col-lapse-of the dome would destroy the wonderful choir screen of jasper and marble. The cathedral. is filled with mediaeval treasures, including a monstrance said to bejnade from the first gold brought by Columbus from the Now World, and many historic crosses, statues of gold and silver, and jewels.