Toledo, Spain @ July 2017 Photo: Huseyin Karadeniz

History Comes to Life

Toledo… Mountaintop city and UNESCO World Heritage Site… The capital of Visigothic Spain, the gem of Moors, and the home of the royal court of the Kingdom of Castile during the Middle Ages. Medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian monuments in its walled old city where different communities from different faiths peacefully coexisted… Leafy courtyards, wooden doors, tiny alleys, a rich heritage and a long, proud history… Such an enchanting, dazzling, alluring, magnificent city…

Toledo, more than 2000 years old city, is located in central Spain, about 45 miles south of Madrid. Initially visiting this impeccable city was not involved my plans, however thanks to insanely rapid AVE – Renfe (Alta Velocidad Española (AVE) – Service of high-speed rail in Spain operated by Renfe) ride from Barcelona to Madrid, very early in the morning, I was able to complete my to-do list in Madrid earlier than I expected. While I was walking on Calle de la Princesa which connects you to Gran Via (“Great Way” – Ornate and upscale shopping street located in central Madrid), this Toledo Tour advertisement in a small street kiosk happened to draw my attention. “Guided Trip to Toledo TOURIST BUS + GUIDED TOUR (2h) + FREE TIME IN TOLEDO (4h) 35,00€ by Express Toledo“. Despite there are variety of companies that organize daily tours from Madrid, Express Toledo is price-wise very reasonable and it also has got good ratings on TripAdvisor.

Before you arrive the city center, you will most likely stop by at Mirador Del Valle vista point that offers amazing panoramic view for Toledo from right above the Tagus River and I am very well sure, sensational sunset scene too. If you have time, I would highly suggest you to stay in Toledo for at least one night and watch the city lights and stars when it gets dark. You may hear the whispers of old buildings which may have countless of stories to tell you while you are walking on narrow, medieval streets of Imperial City.

There are many sites you should visit in this historic city. Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo, once the wealthiest of the all the wealthy churches in the Peninsula, Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, former mosque and it is the only one of ten that once existed in the city, Puerta de Alfonso VI (Bab al-Saqra) which was constructed in the 10th century, in the time of the Moorish Taifa of Toledo in Islamic Al-Andalus, Puente de Alcántara (Alcantara Bridge), Roman arch bridge, spanning the Tagus River, Museo Sefardi Sinagoga Santa Maria la Blanca (Sephardic Museum) which shows historical, religious aspects and of the customs of the Jewish past in Spain, Puente de San Martín (San Martin’s Bridge), which is a scenic 14th-century pedestrian bridge offering sweeping views of the Tagus River and many more…

Toledo is also synonymous with the influential painter of the Spanish Renaissance, El Greco. Some of his artworks, especially from his late period are housed at El Greco Museum located in the Jewish Quarter of Toledo. Also his famous masterpiece, “View of Toledo” (Vista de Toledo), is displayed at Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

One final thing… Try Mazapán! It’s a delicious dessert made out of sugar or honey and almond meal. Although Spain claims that it was invented in Toledo on the other hand Italy says it was originated in Sicily. My take on this: It’s just pretty yummy! : )

 

Photo: Wednesday, June 4, 2017