Contrary to what people may think, Toledo is not to be seen in one day. You have to sleep in this magical city, you have to live it. Toledo is one of the most historic cities of Spain. It was a royal residence in the most important moments of the empire.
The city of Toledo is the capital of the province bearing the same name and so is the Community of Castilla-La Mancha. In addition, the municipality is considered individually as a region. It is located 529 meters above sea level and has a lot to offer to anyone who wants to be seduced by its charms.
History in every corner
Toledo is known as “The Imperial City” for being the headquarters of the court of Charles I and also as “the city of three cultures” since Christians, Jews and Muslims lived here at one point or another. This has left very important cultural and historical grounds in the city.
Just 70 km from Madrid, Toledo is a gem whose historic center is one of the largest in Spain and is surrounded by the Tajo River. Its historic center, declared World Heritage by UNESCO, is poignant because it retains the layout I had in the Middle Ages.
Actually, there are no “real” monuments in Toledo. Truthfully, this wonderful city is a monument by itself. By this I mean that there is no corner on its steep streets that is not worthwhile. Toledo is a destination for everyone interested in culture and art, but also for gastronomy, entertainment and nature lovers. Art Greco, is a significant cultural point of the city. This city was its canvas.
The city of Toledo was founded under the name of Toletum in Roman times, and since then there have been many cultures that have occupied and have left their mark here. In its surroundings we can see magnificent remains of the Roman era, some of the Arab culture, Visigoth buildings, medieval buildings of Jewish inspiration, among others.
The two emblems of the history of Toledo can be summarized in two buildings. First, Santa Maria la Blanca, the oldest synagogue still standing in Europe. It was built in the reign of Castilla by Jewish and Islamic architects.
The second place that condenses the history of Toledo is the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes, which was established to celebrate the victory after a war.
Actually, this is a city where people should get lost walking. The streets are narrow like those of many European cities but with a style of it’s own. There are wooden doors out of scale with iron doorknobs.
Some things you cannot miss are: a visit to the Cathedral of Toledo. The “Primate of Spain”. It is immense. You have to climb to the Campana Gorda. It was built in the thirteenth century, pure Gothic, its impressive tower, its beautiful reliefs and statues.
Another plan is to walk along the street Zocodover and Commerce. A place where important events of past and present are celebrated.
Good Food
But visiting for a short amount of time is not an excuse to forget the delicious marzipan or buy a typical sword. The kitchen offers authentic medieval-inspired delicacies as complete meals. It also offers exquisite tapas. On the other hand, with exclusive reference to the subject of swords, the metallurgical industry has been the economic base of the city.
Toledo captivates people from the first moment. The views are spectacular from below, with an old town perfectly defined by the walls on the side of the Tajo river.
After spending time walking by and seeing countless churches, mosques, convents, palaces; after a good lunch you should always go to the Jewish Quarter. In the Plaza del Salvador it is possible to see the Municipal Archives. It has a contemporary style. If you continue along Calle San Juan de Dios it is possible to visit the Transito Synagogue, home to the Sephardic Museum.
The Mosque of Cristo de la Luz is without a doubt, one of the jewels that remain of the time in which Muslims inhabit these lands. It shows a jumble of styles on the other hand is very characteristic of Toledo.
On the other hand, to have a good overview of the city is possible up to a terrace as the roof or a classic view is towards the area Cigarral which is full of viewpoints among which the Mirador del Valle, very similar to the views that can be had from the Parador de Toledo.
Getting in and Out of the city
Getting to Toledo is really easy. There are bus routes and the “AVE” comes in just over 20 minutes until almost the heart of Toledo.
Toledo is wonderful at any time of year. But as in all things we must take into account. Traveling in summer can be terrible. The truth is that the sun can be very stifling, to the point of preventing walking down the street late into the evening. However, the evening will be great, because of the magnificent temperature. By contrast, in winter, the cold and fog can sometimes make the rides something “special”.
A very usual mistake is only spending an afternoon in the city and returning in the last AVE to Madrid. Toledo is an incomparable night. The lighting makes this city a spectacular visit and night photography place. To be totally honest, one day in Toledo always knows little. If something has Toledo is a lot of mysteries and secrets comparable to its history. We can say that Toledo was a melting pot of cultures.
