Nestled upon a hill in the heart of Spain’s sun-baked
interior, Toledo’s old city is a true historic gem. After having read great things about Toledo in
a travel guide, I finally visited in June of last year. I was certainly not disappointed – I fell in
love with the place as soon as I stepped off the train. Just a half hour journey from Madrid, Toledo
makes a great day trip from the capital.
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| Toledo old town from Puente de Alcantara |
Toledo has been a hugely important city throughout Spanish
history, and was actually the former capital of Spain before Madrid took over. It was likely founded around 500 BCE, and
then came to flourish under Roman rule where it became known in Latin as Toletum.
The city has since been invaded and taken over numerous times, witnessing
the Moorish rule from around AD 711 and the ‘Reconquista’ from AD 1085 which saw Toledo pass back to Christian
rule.
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| History is everywhere in Toledo! |
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| City Gates - Puente de Alcantara |
Christians, Muslims and Jews have lived side by side in
Toledo through the centuries, and each group has left a clear stamp in the city’s
stunning architecture and rich cultural landscape. Moorish rule gave the city its iconic Alcázar fortified palace, which stands
tall and proud over Toledo. This period
also saw the extensive web of alleys develop in the city, resembling the
character of great North African cities such as Marrakesh. Leave
the maps at home and let yourself get lost in this historic maze.
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| Alcazar de Toledo |
Christian influence is strong to the present day, with an
abundance of beautiful churches around the city. The cathedral is absolutely stunning. Jewish influence is also strong in Toledo,
with notable synagogues including the Sinagoga
de Santa María La Blanca and the Sinagoga
del Tránsito.
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| Toledo Cathedral |
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| Toledo Cathedral |
Toledo’s old town is hugged on three sides by the Tagus
River (Spanish: Rio Tajo), which brings a narrow green corridor through the
parched landscape. I walked along the
riverbank around the edges of the old town.
The natural landscape here is very pretty and the shade of the trees
offers welcome relief from the intense midday sun.
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| Tagus River - Rio Tajo |
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| Tagus River - Rio Tajo |
Toledo is easy to get to by car or public transport. I took the AVE high speed train from Madrid’s
Atocha station direct to Toledo, which only took half an hour. The train station is located in a newer part
of the town, about a mile from the old town.
I walked to the old town in about 20 minutes, but alternatively there is
a cheap bus link which I understand leaves from the station.
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| View over the new town |
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| Streets of Toledo |
For my thoughts and photos of nearby Madrid, click this link, and to see all of the photos from Toledo, click this link to the blog’s
Facebook page.
Have you been to Toledo, or thinking of going? Let me know
in the comments! Thanks for reading and happy travels!
Elis Griffiths. x
