Chromiumx2013;titania photocatalysts were prepared at different contents in chromium oxide (0.1x2013;5.0 wt. % ) by gelling titanium alkoxide and chromium nitrate. Nanostructured titania with crystallite sizes between 22 and 40 nm and high specific surface areas (68x2013;113 m2/g) were obtained in solids annealed at 500 °C. The determination of the band gap energy showed a shift to the visible region in samples containing high amounts of chromium oxide (3.8x2013;1.8 eV). XPS spectroscopy evidenced the presence of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in the annealed semiconductors. The photocatalyst with low doping content (0.1 wt. % Cr) was observed to provide effective Crx2013;Ti interaction and allow the maximum photoactivity.