Day Trip to Holy Toledo

Up early for breakfast, a ride on the subway to the bus station, then a 45 minute bus ride to Toledo.  I am impressed.

Cobble stone streets, narrow alleys, city walls, cathedrals, synagogues, mosques, balconies, geraniums, olive trees.  And clear, sunny skies.  What more could a girl ask for?

Toledo is known as the "Imperial City" for having been the main venue of the court of Charles I, and as the "City of the Three Cultures", having been influenced by a historical co-existence of Christians, Muslims and Jews. In 1085, the city fell to Alfonso VI of Castile as the first major city in the Christian Reconquista.

We entered the city through the Bisagra Gate, the main entrance to the city.  In 1986 UNESCO conferred World Heritage site status on Toledo because of it's historical significance.

It began as a Roman municipality, was conquered by Visigoths, and then Muslims.  It persisted as a city of three religions for centuries.  It was known for translating ancient Arab, Greek, and Latin texts into common language, enabling the survival of knowledge.  People from all over Europe, the Middle East, and northern Africa traveled to the city to seek knowledge.

We walked for miles down narrow alleys, through plazas, visiting cathedrals, climbing to the top of the Alcazar.  It was damaged during the Spanish Civil War, and was rebuilt.  It now houses the Regional library.

views from the Alcazar

The city is known for marzipan, a delicious confection.  We stopped and bought some at a shop.  Our marzipan was made by nuns from the Santo Tome 

We entered the main cathedral, which was built in high Gothic style in the 13th century.  Spectacular windows, carvings, architecture.

We also saw the old Mosque, and a synagogue that was converted to a church, and is now a museum.

Tomorrow we go to Cordoba.  Can't hardly wait.  Spain has exceeded my expectations so far.  I am looking forward to seeing more of it.

Too many pictures here.