Church of St. Roman and Museum of Councils and Visigothic Culture, Toledo

The Church of Saint Roman (Iglesia de San Román) is renowned for its Mudéjar architecture and Romanesque paintings, as well as its cultural and historical significance as the site of the Councils of Toledo and the coronation of Alfonso VIII as King of Castile.

The Church of Saint Roman was built in the 13th century on the site of an old Visigothic structure and probably an ancient Roman building. The church's three naves are separated by horseshoe arches with alfiz that are supported on pillars, many of which feature Visigoth and Roman columns attached to capitals with Corinthian leaves. These elements are characteristic of Mudéjar architecture, which blends Islamic and Christian styles.

One of the most remarkable features of the Iglesia de San Román is its Romanesque paintings, which adorn the walls of the church. The frescoes depict a variety of religious scenes, including representations of the four winged evangelists, archbishops, saints, angels, and the Final Judgment. These paintings are considered the most southern of Spain and are of great beauty.

In the 16th century, the apse of the church was redesigned by Alonso de Covarrubias, who added a Plateresque dome of coffers in the main chapel. Later, the paintings were covered and lost until they were rediscovered in the early 20th century. It was not until the 1940s that the paintings were recovered where possible.

Currently, the church houses the Museo de los Concilios y la Cultura Visigoda, which translates to the "Museum of the Councils and Visigothic Culture." The museum opened its doors in 1971 and is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the Visigoths. The councils mentioned in the name are the Councils of Toledo, the earliest of which was held in the year 400.

The Museo de los Concilios y la Cultura Visigoda primarily displays Visigothic archaeological materials that were collected from excavations in the province of Toledo and kept in the funds of the Museum of Santa Cruz, as well as deposits from the Church and the National Archaeological Museum. Some of the most noteworthy displays include objects from the El Carpio de Tajo necropolis, reproductions of votive crowns from the Guarrazar treasure, and fragments of an epigraphic creed from Vega Baja de Toledo.