Quick Travel Guide to Toledo, Spain

One of Madrid's Best Day-Trip Destinations

Jan 18, 2009 Melissa Parks

Interested in branching out from the big city of Madrid? Toledo offers a little bit of everything: history, architecture, art, religion, food, and beautiful views.

Toledo is the perfect distance for a day-trip from Madrid. After journeying only 70 km by train, travelers feel not only transported to a different city, but to a different century as well.

A Complex History: The City of Three Cultures

The city is beautiful and brimming with rich history, knowledge of which will help tourists to appreciate the sights.

Toledo is known as The City of Three Cultures. Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived there together, thriving peacefully, especially under Arab rule, when a unique religious tolerance was practiced. For this same reason it is considered the most religious city in Spain (Holy Toledo!).

The footprints of these cultures are still visible today as Toledo boasts an eccentric mix of Visigoth and Islamic architecture; cathedrals, synagogues, and mosques are nestled in together along the maze-like cobblestone roads.

The Romans called it Toletum until it became Toledo, the capital of the Visigoth Spain. In the early eighth century, Spain was conquered by Arabic forces. Toledo flourished as a city of mixed religion between the eighth and tenth century until it was declared Christian by King Alfonso VI in 1085. In the 1500s it was replaced by Madrid as capital of Spain, but is still occasionally referred to as the Holy Capital or the Imperial City.

Not surprisingly, Toledo is known for its military force. It is famous for its ironwork; swords and daggers decorate the windows of the storefronts and museums of artillery and ancient weapons of torture are hidden throughout its narrow streets.

The structure of the city itself is that of a fort; the streets are tight and twisting, spiraling and nearly identical, almost impossible to navigate even with a map.

The Palace, or Alcázar, with the Regional Library and Army Museum

As a reward for the slow upward trek, the palace, or Alcázar, which stands regally at the top of Toledo’s great hill, offers breathtaking views of the Rio Tajo and the ancient city walls below. The palace is gigantic, wide and intimidating, stationed on the hilltop overlooking the river and the current military academy. The Alcázar currently serves as home to the Regional Library and the Army Museum and has recently reopened after several years of renovation. It can be visited Monday through Saturday.

Art by El Greco at Casa Museo

Toledo is also the second home (and death place) to artist El Greco. Many of his paintings can be found at throughout the city, particularly at Casa Museo de El Greco. This museum opened in 1911 and holds over a dozen of El Greco’s completed pieces. It is closed on Mondays.

The Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo

A visit to the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo is essential. The corridors themselves are stunning and the cathedral features a small museum with dozens of paintings (some by El Greco, including The Disrobing of Christ). El Transparente, a carved marble, stucco, bronze, and painted altar by Narciso Tomé (constructed from 1721-1732), looms strikingly against one very tall wall.

What to Eat in Toledo: Local Specialties

To curb the lunchtime hunger, visitors can try some local specialties. These include perdices (partridge), wild boar, or lamb, with marzipan for dessert.

Advice for Tourists

It is recommended that upon visiting, tourists make their way to the tourist information center, where they will be granted a map, directions, hours for the local attractions, and perhaps a reminder for the potential of getting lost in the stretches of identical, winding streets. And a camera is essential—Toledo is the perfect backdrop for vacation photographs.

Toledo is one of the most culturally rich, though surprisingly unknown, cities in Spain. Whether one's interest is architecture, art, food, history, religion, or even ancient torture, this breathtaking city has something to offer. No stay in Madrid would be complete without a day-trip to Toledo, the Holy Capital of Spain.

The copyright of the article Quick Travel Guide to Toledo, Spain in S Europe Travel is owned by Melissa Parks. Permission to republish Quick Travel Guide to Toledo, Spain in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

the palace