Toledo (Spain) – detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Toledo with descriptions, guides and cards.
Contents
City Toledo (Spain)
Toledo is a city in central Spain, the capital of autonomous the community of Castilla – La Mancha. This ancient capital of Spanish kingdom contains the most interesting sights, and the old the city has preserved the medieval layout and architecture and is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Toledo is one of the most beautiful cities of Spain, which is called the “city of three cultures.” The historic center is a real open-air museum where you can see magnificent old stone buildings and quiet cobbles streets, a dazzling array of cultural and historical Heritage: Churches, monasteries, palaces, fortresses, synagogues.
Toledo is one of the most visited places in the country, known for its traditional crafts, Damascus steel and delicious marzipan The city is famous for its works of art – El Greco’s masterpieces, presented in many churches and monasteries, and also in the museum.
Panorama Toledo
- Geography and climate
- Practical information
- Story
- How to get there
- Shopping and shopping
- Food and drink
- sights
- Video
- Maps and guides
- Comments and reviews
Geography and climate
Toledo is located in the center of Spain, 70 km from Madrid on the banks the largest river of the Iberian Peninsula Tejo (Tahoe). Historical The center is located on the right bank of the Tagus on a hill. The city is divided into four districts.
Toledo has a cold semi-arid climate characteristic of Central Spain. Precipitation is mostly frequent in spring and late in the fall. Summer is hot and dry. Winter is cool with frequent frosts.
Streets of Toledo
Practical information
- The population is 83.7 thousand people.
- The area is 232.1 square kilometers.
- The official language is Spanish.
- Currency – Euro.
- Visa – Schengen.
- Time – Central European UTC +1, in summer +2.
- Addresses of tourist information centers: Plaza de Zocodover, 8, Paseo de Merchán s / n and Plaza del Consistorio, 1.
Story
Toledo is one of the oldest cities in Spain. It was founded the Romans, who founded the fortress of Toletum here. In the first half of the 5th century, the settlement was captured by the Visigoths, who made it the capital of their kingdom. In 712, Toledo was conquered by the Moors, who, in turn, made the city the capital your state. In the Moorish period Toledo was famous by steel.
At the end of the 11th century, Toledo was conquered by the Castilian crown. Kings Castile made the city their residence. Actually the capital ancient Spain, the city remained until 1561, until Philip II moved the capital to Madrid.
Streets Toledo
Today you can wander through the tiny ancient streets of the city, Discovering the many sights of Toledo which celebrate the fascinating history of the Spanish “imperial city”. Nowhere in Spain will you see so many historic buildings and cultural monuments that are concentrated in one place.
How to get there
Toledo is located about 70 km from the capital of Spain to southwest of the A-42 motorway. The nearest airport is at Madrid Buses run every half hour between Toledo and bus station Plaza Elíptica in Madrid. The trip takes about an hour. By high-speed train can be reached in 33 minutes. A train departs from Atocha Madrid Station.
Night streets Toledo
Shopping and shopping
Toledo is not the best city for shopping, but if you like products of artisans, then you exactly here. The city is famous for the whole Spain antique swords, steel products and ceramics. Besides of this, Toledo is known for its marzipan.
Food and drink
If you want to try authentic paella, then Toledo is not the best way. Although it, like any tourist center, offers a choice of many cafes and restaurants. Gastronomy of Toledo formed under the influence of three cultures, so here you can Meet the dishes of Jewish, European and Muslim cuisine.
Some traditional dishes:
- Perdíz a la Toledana – stew partridge with spices.
- Carcamusas – stewed beef or pork with tomatoes and peas
- Tres vuelcos – stew with vegetables and chickpeas.
- Cochifrito – roasted pig with garlic.
- Atascaburras – trout (cod) with potatoes and garlic.
sights
The main attractions of Toledo with photos and description.
Old city
Old Town – a maze of narrow medieval streets, quiet courtyards and old stone buildings that will literally take you to past. The historic center is located on a hill on the right bank. the river Tagus. By exploring the old city, you can find sights of Moorish, Jewish origin and even remnants of the roman past.
Cathedral Cathedral
The Cathedral is an amazing masterpiece of Gothic art and one of the most important religious buildings in Spain. Church located on ancient Roman foundations. During the reign The Visigoths built the first basilica here, which under the Moors replaced by a mosque. Interestingly, Alfonso VI after the conquest Toledo promised to keep the building as a mosque for the Muslim population of the city. This promise was broken in 1226, when began to build a grand gothic cathedral. The building was built before the end of the 15th century, therefore several architectural styles from gothic to spanish renaissance and mudejar. Among priceless art collection of the cathedral are the highlight twelve apostles el greco.
The church is located in the old town near the Jewish quarter. To enter the cathedral, visitors must go through Puerta de Mollet, where they used to serve food to the poor. Inside the church striking in size and interior design. Amazing the impression is made by a collection of 88 ornate columns, exquisite stained glass windows of the 14th-16th centuries and a grand choir. AT The Capilla de Santiago contains magnificent marble tombs. AT The sacristy presents paintings by Morales, van Dyck, Raphael, Rubens and Titian.
San Juan de los Reyes
San Juan de los Reyes – 15th century Franciscan monastery, located in the northwestern part of the Juderia district. On the outside the facade has chains of Christians freed from the Moorish captivity. The monastery has a magnificent chapel with a single nave and stunning arch. The building is considered one of the best examples. late gothic architecture in Spain.
Synagogue del transito
Synagogue del Transito – the most famous Jewish monument Toledo, located in the heart of the Jewish quarter. Synagogue was built at the end of the 14th century and decorated with elements of Moorish style, as well as complex geometric and floral motifs, inscriptions in Arabic and Hebrew. Magnificent windows with curved arches allow light to enter the building, and the interior is different exquisite ceiling. After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 the building was given to the knightly order. Now located here the museum. Entry is free on Saturday afternoon and Sunday in the morning.
In the heart of the old Jewish quarter (at Calle Samuel Leví, 3) is the home of El Greco. This is a museum in which Presents interesting expositions of the famous artist and the sculptor. Although El Greco himself has never lived here.
Iglesia de Santo Tome
Iglesia de Santo Tome – a small church of the 12th century, located west of the cathedral on the border with the Jewish quarter. In the 14th century, the church was restored by Count Orgaz in the Gothic style with the Mudejar tower. The church keeps one of the main El Greco’s masterpieces – “Burial of Count Orgaz”, created in 1586 year
Santa Maria la Blanca
Santa Maria la Blanca – a church formed from ancient synagogues. Located in the Jewish quarter of Toledo. Stately The Mudejar style synagogue was built in the 12th century and for several centuries older than El Transito. The construction is interesting for its columns. AT Currently not a religious institution, although openly for visiting.
Cristo de la Luz
Cristo de la Luz – a small chapel that was built as an Arab mosque in 999 on the site of an earlier Visigoth church. Original Moorish building with an arcade facade and a series of arches resembles the mosque of Cordoba and almost intact.
Alcazar
Alcazar – an ancient Moorish fortress on top of a hill built on the site of an early roman fort and later rebuilt Spanish kings. This impressive building has a square with serrated protection and four corner towers that were added in the 16th century. Now in the walls of the fortress is a museum army.
Iglesia de San Ildefonso
Iglesia de San Ildefonso is one of the Toledo baroque masterpieces. This Jesuit church began to be built in 1629. Building lasted a century. Interestingly, the church consists of more than 100,000 bricks. The dome of the building is one of the highest points of the city. And the impressive interior contains two paintings by El Greco
Ancient mosque
The mosque or church of Santiago del Arrabal is one of the most old buildings toledo. The mosque was built a thousand years ago, but looks great now. This makes it one of the most important. parts of the Moorish heritage of Spain. Two centuries after building it was converted to a christian church Santiago del Arabal. The building is brick built and closed to visits to the general public.
City walls Toledo
The first city fortifications were built by the Romans, then updated by the Visigoths, later expanded by the Moors and Christians. Some sections of the walls are in excellent condition and are a reminder of the rich history of the city. On some sections of the walls you can even walk. The only well preserved part Moorish city walls is a gate area Puerta Vieja de Bisagra.
Gate of Bisagra
The Gate of Bisagra is the main entrance to Toledo from the plain. Were built Moors in the 10th century. Triumphal arch of the gate is protected by two circular defensive towers. Above the arch is a huge relief with the emblem of the city, and behind the entrance is a courtyard with jagged walls and another pair of towers.
Puerta del Sol
Puerta del Sol – the northern city gate built in the end of the 14th century in Mudejar style. This is a huge stone portal, crowned with battlements and a host of decorative items.
Bridge San martin
San Martin Bridge – a medieval bridge in the western part of the old city, built in the 13th century. Throughout its existence was rebuilt in the 14-15 centuries. The biggest changes were made during the reign of Charles II in the 17th century. Since that time the bridge protected by towers at the beginning and at the end, remains unchanged.
Bridge Alcantara
The Alcantara Bridge is another ancient bridge across the Tagus River. The first a bridge on this site was built by the Romans. It is clear that the structure was repeatedly rebuilt after damage during numerous wars. The bridge suffered the most damage in the 10th century. Further was rebuilt again during the reign of Alphonse X a century later. A baroque triumphal arch was added at the entrance to early 18th century. The entrance to the city is protected by a cog tower.
Square Zodocover
Zokodover Square – the city center for many centuries, still the most lively place of Toledo. In moorish times it was a big market where mules, ponies and horses were sold. After the conquest of Toledo by the Christians, they conducted an auto-da-fe.
Hospital Tavera
Tavera Hospital is a large complex of buildings filled with famous works of art. Expositions include marble the tomb of Cardinal Alonso Berruguete, sculptures and paintings of El Greco, as well as works by Alonso Sanchez Coelho, Juan Francisco Zurbaran, Luke Giordano and others.
Goal Cambron
Cambron is the western gate, often called the Jewish gate. The gate is of Arabic origin. Although most of them were towers completed in the 16th century. Were severely damaged during civil the war in 1936.
Video
Maps and guides
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