Toledo

Toledo, Spain is a must-see travel destination for anyone visiting Spain. Toledo is located directly south of Madrid and its famous historic roots can be seen in its spectacular cathedrals, monasteries, synagogues, museums and winding roads. Toledo displays numerous beautiful artifacts and buildings from the Roman, Jewish, Christian and Muslims cultures that inhabited Toledo throughout its rich history.

Toledo originally began to flourish as an important commerce and administrative center when the Romans inhabited Spain around 3 A.D. After the fall of the Roman Empire around 476 A.D., the Visigoths (Christian populations from Scandinavia and Germany) spread to Spain and shortly thereafter, Toledo became Spain’s capital. However, Toledo soon lost its seat as Spain’s capital after the Moors (Muslim populations from Morocco and Northern Africa) conquered Spain and the entire Iberian Peninsula in the 8^th century.

During the period of Moorish rule in Spain, Toledo flourished during its golden age and became a cosmopolitan center where Christians, Jews and Muslims lived together peacefully. This golden era, from 711 to 1492, is called La Convivencia because of the religious tolerance that existed among the cultures in Toledo. Although Christians and Muslims lived together peacefully in Toledo, these two religious groups warred outside of Toledo during the Reconquista – a period where the Christians fought to recapture Spain and the rest of the Iberian Peninsula from the Muslims.

Throughout the Reconquista, Toledo became a very important city because of its central location and the vital role that talented sword makers played within Toledo to equip the Christians with some of Europe’s best swords. In fact, Toledo swords and daggers made by individual craftsmen were regarded as Europe’s finest weaponry during the 15^th and 17^th centuries. Today, visitors have the opportunity to purchase a quality Toledo sword or dagger and learn more about their historic production.

Because of Toledo’s historic cosmopolitan populations, visitors enjoy seeing extraordinary buildings and monuments constructed by each culture. Below are some of Toledo’s finest sites that you won’t want to miss when you visit:

Alcázar: This castle is one of Toledo’s most symbolic monuments. It was a fortress used by the Romans, Visigods, Arabs and Christians.

Cathedral of Toledo: The cathedral was founded in the 1^st Century then changed into a mosque by the Moors and then converted back into a cathedral by Alfonso VI.

Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes: A Gothic style monastery built during the reign of the Catholic King and Queen.

Monastery Cisterciense de Santo Domingo de Silos: The famous El Greco painted this monastery. Stop by to buy some homemade sweets and pastries from its monks.

Puerta Bisagra: The main entrance to the old city of Toledo that displays an amazing stone gateway.

Sinagogue of Saint María la Blanca: Check out this former synagogue that now displays crafts, pottery and wooden exhibits.

Museum of El Greco: El Greco once lived here. It now has a great exhibition of his famous paintings.

Museum of Contemporary Art: This art gallery displays many of the 20th century’s best artists from Toledo.

Museum of Victorio Macho: Macho, a famous sculptor lived here. It now displays his best known work.

Museum Parroquía de Santo Tomé: Home to El Greco’s most famous painting: Burial of the Count of Orgaz (El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz) is exhibited