The finest building in Toledo is probably the Alcázar, which looms down from the city's highest hill. Archaeological evidence points to both a Roman and Islamic fortified position here; today, it's a tribute to the might of Carlos V, Spanish King and holding the title of Holy Roman Emperor, who ordered the construction of the royal castle in the 16th century.
Things to see in Toledo
Tourist offices
Address: Plaza del Consistorio 1, Toledo, Spain
Tel: +34 925 254 030.
Opening Hours:
Daily 1000-1800
www.toledo-turismo.comThe main tourist office by the cathedral offers maps, plenty of advice on planning your tour of the city and other information. There are other tourist offices including in Paseo de la Rosa (daily 0930-1500), and Zocodover (daily 1000-1900).
The cathedral of Toledo is one of Spain's largest and finest cathedrals – fitting for the country's former capital. Don't miss the Sacristy art collection, the polychrome high altar screen, the magnificently carved choir stalls or the bizarre Transparente, where a hole has been cut into the main chapel for extra light.
Dating back some eight centuries, this historic church is one of the most important sights in Toledo. The architectural highlight of the 12th-century building is its fine Mudéjar tower, but the crowds flock here to see El Greco's masterpiece El Entierro del Señor de Orgaz (The Burial of the Count of Orgaz).
Aside from the cathedral, this is the finest church in the city, intended as the last resting place of the Catholic monarchs and featuring a beautiful cloister. Built by that titanic couple of Spanish history, King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile, the idea was to commemorate the birth of their son and their victory against Portugal.
The oldest and biggest of Toledo's surviving synagogues, this building is a masterpiece of finely carved wall panels and classic white Mudéjar horseshoe arches. It dates all the way back to the 12th century and is fascinating in part for its combination of Moorish and Christian-Spanish styles in the construction of a Jewish temple, thought to be one of the oldest still standing. Its sculpted pillars are beautiful.
Built in 1466 the side rooms of this synagogue now house a museum dedicated to the Jews in Spain, though the main hall with its magnificent friezes and ceiling is what lingers longest in the mind. This and the surrounding Jewish Quarter are important remnants of Spanish Jews, who were tragically expelled from the country in later years.
Walking through the imposing Puerta de Bisagra, one of the main gateways to Toledo's historic centre, brings you in a few steps to the Church of Santiago del Arrabal, one of the most impressive Mudejar religious buildings in the city. While the church was built in the 13th century, its tower dates back to the 12th century, and the pulpit inside is one of the finest examples of Mudejar plasterwork in the city.
This wonderful 13th-century church, part Moorish, part Christian, and boasting original frescoes is home to a museum of Visigoth relics (concilios were the councils of the Western Visigothic Church held in Toledo in the 7th century). Some of the artefacts in the museum, including reliefs, paintings, metalwork and more, date all the way back to the 6th century.
The so-called Caves of Hercules are a palimpsest offering insight into the many different eras of Toledo's history. First built as part of the Roman water network, the site might have also been a temple, while it also became an early church under the Visigoths. Later, there is some evidence suggesting the mysterious site was used for Islamic religious ceremonies. Today's it's a rare window onto the past, cutting through 2,000 years of history.
Toledo's history is long, complex and incredibly important to an understanding of how Imperial Spain emerged. Housed in the former church of San Marcos, this centre is a spectacular state-of-the-art multi-media interpretation of the city's history with some fascinating exhibits. Don't miss the Heath Robinson-like water system tower model.
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