Toledo
One of the most beautiful cities in Europe that hides in its alleys, like an enormous secret, more than 2,000 years of history. An almost unfathomable World Heritage Site. A place you will have to return to.
What not to miss in Toledo
Christians, Muslims and Jews. Followers of the three religions have lived together for centuries and left their mark in Toledo, one of the most interesting and surprising cities in Spain where it is possible to see, within a few metres, a Gothic cathedral, a 10th century mosque and two synagogues.
A place that became an Imperial City and whose beauty is reflected in the paintings of El Greco. A city from which the traveller cannot leave without taking a look at its viewpoints, climbing up to the Alcázar, getting lost in its narrow streets or watching the sunset from the Alcántara or San Martín bridges. Less than 80 kilometres from Madrid, it is worth spending more than a day to see the city illuminated at night and get to know it in depth.
Some not-to-be-missed must-haves
Palacio de Galiana
This monument, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1985, was a former almunia or pleasure palace of the Taifa king, Al-Mamun (Abulhasan Yahia Almamun) in the 11th century.
It is located on the outskirts of the city next to the Tagus River, in the old “Huerta del Rey”, where the abundant water was used to care for its spectacular gardens.
Catedral de Toledo
The Cathedral of Toledo, also called Catedral Primada and known as the Cathedral of Santa María, is consecrated to the Virgin Mary and is considered the masterpiece of Spanish Gothic architecture.
At the end of 1493, under the reign of Isabella the Catholic, the last vault was completed and the monumental Cathedral was finished.
Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes
San Juan de los Reyes is considered the third most important monument in Toledo, after Toledo Cathedral and the Alcázar of Toledo..
This building is considered to be the most important one erected by the Catholic Monarchs.
Museo del Greco
El Museo del Greco is currently the only one in Spain dedicated to the figure of the painter and its essential aim is to transmit and make society understand the figure of El Greco, as well as the influence of his work and personality in Toledo at the beginning of the 17th century.
La Sinagoga del Tránsito
The Synagogue of El Tránsito is located in the famous Jewish quarter of Toledo, on Calle Reyes Católicos and Paseo del Tránsito.
This synagogue is considered to be the most beautiful and best preserved medieval synagogue in the world. It is the most important Hispano-Jewish building in Spain.
Alcázar de Toledo
It is located in one of the highest areas of the city of Toledo, having its most remote origins in Roman times. This fortress began to see the light of day in the 3rd century with the Roman domination, and was a palace that housed the barracks of the Roman army.
In 1525 Charles V of Spain took the capital of the kingdom to Toledo. It was during his term of office that the Alcazar took shape as it is today. A three-storey building with a rectangular ground plan and Corinthian columns. The architectural work was carried out by Alonso de Covarrubias, Francisco de Villalpando and Juan de Herrera.
Sinagoga Santa María la Blanca
The synagogue began to be built at the end of the 12th century. Its original name is not known exactly, with some historians leaning towards the so-called New Synagogue of Yosef ben Shushan and others towards the so-called Al Malikim Synagogue.
Plaza de Zocodover
Zocodover was created as a defensive open space in Roman times, as it is one of the highest points in the city and just a few metres from the Alcázar.
The name of Zocodover has Arabic origins and literally means “beast market”, where animals were bought and sold for pack or draught work.
It is the neuralgic centre of Toledo
Pictures of Toledo
We leave you a selection so that you can extend your visit to Toledo.
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