Attractions of Toledo

Attractions of Toledo

Toledo is a small city 70 km from Madrid, an ancient capital of Spain, a city of three cultures and a stronghold of Catholicism and Castilian spirit. Baedeker called it “the stone scroll of Spanish history”. This land saw the Roman legions, Visigoth kings, Muslim caliphs and heard the victory call of Reconquista.
During the Arab rule, many Christians from the southern Spain refused from the faith of their elders because of the high tax on the celebration of Catholic rituals. Only the defiant and strong-willed residents of Toledo remained loyal to the Christ. It seems that the city
has remained in the XVI century, breaking all the laws of time and space. The modern and medieval Toledo is very similar. It is easy to see on the paintings and engravings of the XVI-XVII century.

For many centuries, the Christians, Jews and Muslims of Toledo lived peacefully and worked together for the good of their own city. The trade, urban planning and science have flourished. Toledo could boast of the beautiful churches, monasteries, mosques and synagogues.
The Cathedral of Toledo (archbishop’s residence) is considered one of the best works of Spanish Gothic. Even the Friday prays have once taken place in the church. The main church shrine is a piece of marble the Virgin Mary has once stood on. In the Cathedral you can see the paintings of El Greco, Rubens, Goya, Titian, great gold-plated altar, bright stained glass, sculptures and bar-relieves.
Here you can also see the Alcazar Castle. This is a great rectangular fortress with watchtowers. It has once been the residence of Roman proconsuls, Visigoth kings and Arab emirs. In the XIX century, the palace turned into the military school, and now it’s a Weapon Museum and a library.
Another important attraction of Toledo is a House-Museum of El Greco. The painter immortalized the city in the picture “The View of Toledo” and merged with it forever. Peter Vail told that they were the mutual characters – the painter and the city. It is difficult to find a higher degree of co-sponsorship …” San Tome Church stores another work of the master – the picture “The Burial of the Count Orgaz”.
Toledo is an important religious center of Spain; therefore the Catholic holidays are celebrated here with a bang. On Easter and Christmas the city is full of bright, noisy festivals and costume parade. The house facades are decorated with tapestries, flags and multi-colored scarves. In the souvenir stores in the city center (as everywhere in Spain) you can find a fragrant olive oil, ceramic goods, high-quality leather accessories, fans and lace. The masters of Toledo are perfect at the incrustation of gold and silver to the steel and iron goods. Plates, pictures, boxes, decorated with a thin golden ligature, will be a perfect present from the “most Spanish” city of Spain.