Despite the fact that both the Romans and the Visigoths undertook the task of protecting Toledo, it was the Muslims who, after capturing the city in 711, reinforced the old city walls to adapt them to their new military function as the frontier capital of the newly created Islamic State. The old Moorish wall still stands. It's still possible to see some remains of the Visigothic wall next to the Puerta de Bisagra).
Catedral Primada Santa María de Toledo is a huge, Gothic structure built between the 13th and 15th centuries with unusual mudejar-style decoration and vaults in the apse. Take a look at the extraordinary main altarpiece, the statues and frescoes in its 22 chapels, the Renaissance-style choir stalls and the plateresque wrought-iron work. However, the biggest attractions are kept in the museum inside the church: paintings by El Greco, Van Dyck, Titian, Lucas Jordan and Rafael along with Enrique de Arfe's 16th-century monstrance crafted out of gold and silver. Mass is conducted in Spring & Summer.
San Martin bridge was built in 1203 to replace a previous bridge made out of wooden boats that was destroyed by floods. It too was partially demolished in the fourteenth century when the city was under siege during civil war in the Kingdom of Castille but was restored shortly afterwards. San Martin bridge has five arches and is flanked by two solid defensive towers with decorative facades.
The history of Toledo is manifold, right from swords, to being one of the prime ancient cities with Jewish inhabitation. The narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter of Toledo are filled with stories, spine-chilling all of them, about the Community's eviction in the 15th Century C.E. The area now tells all about their lives, culture and regalia. There's the School of Translators that still exists, along with two of the ten Synagogues exhibiting the age-old scriptures and tales. History is not made; history makes us, and the Jewish Quarter explains that ardently, about the present-day Toledo, and the past. The Jewish Quarter should definitely be walked around, through the windy streets, where even time has barely managed to crawl in!
Toledo is a historic city, undoubtedly, but the fact that the Tagus river is on its periphery gives the city a new aspect: that of nature's bliss. Senda Ecológica De Toledo is a path by the southern edge of Toledo, and one that can be strolled for some fresh air and a breathtaking view of the city. The majestic labyrinthine buildings, and also the beautiful Alcantara Bridge and the San Martin Bridge are a treat to the eyes from this end. The Tagus river looks beautiful as well.
This stronghold was built by Alfonso VI on a hill high above the city on the site of the ruins of a Muslim fort. It is rectangular in structure and flanked by four square towers. The facade presents rows of balconies and windows and a walkway with banisters. Alsonso de Covarrubias was responsible for the picturesque gateway. Nowadays, it is not only the home of the Museo del Ejército (Army Museum), but also houses the Regional Library which holds important collections and archives. The library has all the latest technology and provides computer terminals for Internet access for library users.
Despite the fact that both the Romans and the Visigoths undertook the task of protecting Toledo, it was the Muslims who, after capturing the city in 711, reinforced the old city walls to adapt them to their new military function as the frontier capital of the newly created Islamic State. The old Moorish wall still stands. It's still possible to see some remains of the Visigothic wall next to the Puerta de Bisagra).
Catedral Primada Santa María de Toledo is a huge, Gothic structure built between the 13th and 15th centuries with unusual mudejar-style decoration and vaults in the apse. Take a look at the extraordinary main altarpiece, the statues and frescoes in its 22 chapels, the Renaissance-style choir stalls and the plateresque wrought-iron work. However, the biggest attractions are kept in the museum inside the church: paintings by El Greco, Van Dyck, Titian, Lucas Jordan and Rafael along with Enrique de Arfe's 16th-century monstrance crafted out of gold and silver. Mass is conducted in Spring & Summer.
Rutas De Toledo is a tour group that takes you through so many mysterious aspects of Toledo's history: all the labyrinthine architecture of the churches, mosques, synagogues and museums, the life back then, and the culture. Walking down the narrow and windy streets of the City with Rutas is insight into what made Toledo the heritage site that it is today. Rutas De Toledo gives you an up close and personal with the city, and a memorable one.
This ancient Arabic gateway was the principal entrance to the city until the construction of the Puerta de Bisagra (Hinge Gateway) in the eleventh century. Although the Alfonso VI gateway lost importance in terms of use, the legends surrounding it still date back centuries. One example is its very name, which comes from the popular belief asserting that Alfonso VI rode through it in triumph when he took the city from the Moors for his Christian kingdom during the Reconquest.
The Puerta del Sol was once the principal gateway into the ancient walled city of Toledo. It leads directly to the Puerta de Bisagra and the Cristo de la Luz Mosque. It was originally built at the end of the 10th or the beginning of the 11th centuries but most of what we see today dates from the 14th. It is made up of various connected Moorish-style archways in stone and brick. It was previously known as the gateway of Herrería and San Ildefonso and takes its current name from the 18th century depiction of the sun and the moon in the center of a triangular shield on the first arch.
San Martin bridge was built in 1203 to replace a previous bridge made out of wooden boats that was destroyed by floods. It too was partially demolished in the fourteenth century when the city was under siege during civil war in the Kingdom of Castille but was restored shortly afterwards. San Martin bridge has five arches and is flanked by two solid defensive towers with decorative facades.