Toledo - not Ohio

Today we took a day trip out of Madrid to the smaller city of Toledo. (Toe-lay-doe)

Toledo is about 70 km south of Madrid and has reference in some documents to 1000 years BC. We felt small on this earth walking around in a city that is over 3000 years old. Toledo was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage and historical co-existence of Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures. (Until the Muslims and Jewish were driven out in the 1490's).

Toledo is known as the "Imperial City" for having been the main capitol of Spain until the early 1500's when Madrid became the capitol of the country. In 1085, it the first major city to fall in the Christian Reconquista. Toledo has a history in the production of swords and knives, which are now popular souvenirs of the city and of Zach. Toledo has been a traditional sword-making, steel-working centre since about 500 BC, and came to the attention of Rome when used in the Punic Wars. Soon, it became a standard source of weaponry for Roman Legions.

The old city is located on a mountaintop with a 150 degree view, surrounded on three sides by a bend in the Tagus River, and contains many historical sites, including the Alcazar Fortress, the Palace of Spain prior to the 1500's and the Cathedral of Toledo which is amazing to tour (pictures to follow). The river is in a deep canyon and created a natural moat around the city for protection through the years.

The Cathedral (Catedral de Toledo) was built between 1226–1493. It is remarkable for its incorporation of light and features the Baroque altar called El Transparente, several stories high, with fantastic figures of stucco, paintings, bronze castings, and multiple colors of marble, a masterpiece topped by the daily effect for just a few minutes of a shaft of light from which this feature of the cathedral derives its name.

Toledo was also the home of the painter El Greco and his masterpieces can be found throughout the city. The main display of his works are in the sacristy of the Cathedral which was open to the public.

After a great tour of Toledo we are back in Madrid packing our bags for a quick flight to Paris tomorrow.

Also of note, for those who have read The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha, Toledo is the scene of part of his travels.

Toledo

The Cathedral

Front Gate of the Cathedral in Toledo

Incredible detail in woodwork throughout the cathedral

Found some shade on this 104 degree day

Entranced by the Holy Spirit???

Gardens in the center of a Franciscan monastery in Toledo

Old church in Toledo - mid 800's

Madona and child - Alabaster - Early 1500's

Altar in Cathedral - 500 plus years of artwork

Saint Pete

Caption to go with Saint Pete

Ceiling of the sacristy in the Cathedral

El Greco in the sacristy of the Cathedral

Another view of the front of the Cathedral in Toledo

View of the river from gardens in Toledo

View of the river and countryside from the walls of Toledo

Monastery gardens

Inside the monastary

Beautiful day and incredible architecture

City gate crossing the river

View looking back at Toledo

A creepy voyeur looking at a couple on a loft above our sidewalk dinner in Madrid

Last stop in Madrid.  A great beer bar on the Calle de Mayor a few blocks from out apartment.