TOLEDO – Nightsky’s daytrip to the Spanish beautiful historic city

[Nightsky]

In February 2011 I visited Madrid, for a week together with my girlfriend. She had to get home earlier then me, and I made a daytrip to Toledo, about 30 minutes from Madrid with fastspeed train. The railway station is situated a bit away from the old city center. Unfortunately part of my trip was ruined when may bank card was trapped in an ATM machine at Zocodover Square. I lost one hour of about 5 to spend in Toledo and was worried about the cash, because my other card didn't work either. A young couple were very helpful. According to my bank there was nothing wrong with the card, but obviously there was! But it was still nice to visit Toledo, the city is really beautiful and there are historical sights everywhere, it was sunny and 22 degrees, very warm for being in February. It is easy to get lost in Toledo's Old Town, even if you have a map, because the street pattern is like a labyrinth. I mostly looked at the exteriors of the buildings, I had too little time, (and it was nicer to be outside when as it was sunny, coming from Swedish winter) to discover the buildings inside. There is an entrance fee to enter the great cathedral, plus you are not allowed to take any photos inside, so I didn't think it was worth to get inside even if it is said to be one of the most magnificent cathedrals in the world.

ABOUT TOLEDO:
Toledo is small, but one of the most importants cities in Spain, and is situated 70km south of Madrid.It is the capital of Castille-La Mancha and the Toledo province. Until the mid 1500s it was the capital of Spain. In 1986 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to the many historically and culturally important sights. Toledo was founded by the romans. The Old Town is really a beauty; old buildings, hills, narrow lanes, cathedrals and synagogues. Toledo is famous for the coexistance of Christians, Jews and Muslims. You can find churches, among them on of the most magnificent gothic cathedrals in the world, 2 synagogues and moorish palaces. Many famous people were born and lived in Toledo. Some examples are El Greco, Alfonso X and Eleanor of Toledo. The Romans, the Muslims and the Visagothics have all ruled the city. The city also has many museums. Because of all that the Old Town is crowded with tourists. Plaza de Zocodover is the commercial heart of Toledo, were most restaurants and service are.Alcazar (castle) and the Cathedral are dominating the skyline. The city has a beautiful setting, where the old town lies on a hill above the Tagus River.


Population: 82 000
Tallest building: Cathedral
Language: Spanish
Founded: 7th century BC
State: Castille-La Mancha
Area: 232.1 km²
Year visited: 2011 [/b]

You can find all pictures at:
http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Toledo.html

[Nightsky]

The pictures, almost in chronological order:

Toledo - outside the gates to the Old Town

Rio Tagus, the railway station and views of the Old Town from afar could be found on my walk from the train to the Old Town.


The Railway Station. Arriving from Madrid. The train takes about 30 minutes.

The station is very beautiful in Moorish style.


It was 22 degrees when I arrived in Toledo. I had to walk to the Old Town.

Juanelo, the road next to the river and the Old Town.

Alcazar, the landmark castle. More about it in the Old Town section.

A more modern bridge in the North part of the city. Hospital de Tavera, that is dominating the picture, was completed in 1603. It influenced El Escorial.

The gate to Puente de Alcántara, the Roman bridge that leads to Old Town.

A Cuban restaurant in a rock!

Rio Tagus flowing next to the Old Town. A very beautiful view...

A closer look of River Tagus and the bridge Puente Nuevo de Alcántara.

The North part from afar.

Puente de Alcántara was built by the Romans. It was almost the only gate for the pilgrims in the middle age.

The red soil of surrounding hills.

Towards Academia de Infanteria.

The gate that leads up to the stairs to the Old Town. It is a bit tough to walk up, especially if it is sunny!


Plaza de la Concepcion.


Santa Cruz church with Museo de Toledo.


Puerta de la Sangre. The gate to Plaza de Zocodover , the beginning of the old town.

Next part: Old Town

[Expat]

An incredible place! I love the last photograph. The statue and the lady with the shopping bag on the stairs seem to have the same determined expression.

[ColDayMan]

It really is a stunning town.

[Nightsky]

OLD TOWN TOLEDO:

The Old Town is the city center of Toledo and is situated on a hill above Tajo River. It is were you find all the historical places, buildings and monument like the Cathedral, Alcazar, museums, synagogues and moorish palaces. The streets are very narrow and hilly, but sometimes the relaxed atmosphere get interrupt by a car driving so fast that the pedestrians have to hide in the buildings. The Old Town is crowded with people, especially Zocodover Square, the commercial heart of Toledo.

Plaza de Zocodover:


Plaza de Zocodover. The heart of the old town, situated just inside the gate. It is more modern looking then most other places in the old town.



Puerta de la Sangre, the gate to the Old Town from Zocodover.

The ATM at the Caja Rural bank was the one that ate up my bank card.

Alcazar. Toledo has blue buses, just like Madrid.

Alcázar of Toledo. One of 2 famous landmarks in Toledo. This fortress from the 16th century is located in the highest part of the town. Alcázar was used by the Romans as a palace in the 3rd century, was restored by 2 kings and renovated in 1535. Today it houses the Museum of the Army (Museo de Ejército) and the Castilla-La Mancha
Regional Library.

Alcázar plays an important part in Spanish history; During the civil war, Coronel José Moscardó Ituarte held the building against overwhelming Spanish Republican forces in the Siege of the Alcázar. It is today an important symbol of Spanish nationalism and the newspaper El Alcázar is named after it.
Views from Alcázar:

Restaurant Sancho IV.

Castillo de San Servando. A medieval castle text to Tagus River. It begun as a monastery in 1088 and was later converted into a fortress that would prevent a muslim attack.


Academia de Infanteria. The Infantry Academy (ACINF) is a military training center for the Spanish Army.


Towards the cathedral.


Toledo is famous for its swords, that can be find in special stores all over the old town. You can buy them, but you can't bring them on the plane!
Around the Cathedral:

Calle Arco del Palacio, a narrow street towards the Cathedral.

The Gothic Cathedral.

[Nightsky]

Plaza del Ayuntamiento and The Gothic Cathedral:

Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the square in front of the Gothic Cathedrala, Palacio Arzobispal, Juzgado and Ayuntamiento, the Town Hall.


The Cathedral of St Mary of Toledo. This Roman Catholic church is the most important building in Toledo. It is the seat of the once mighty archdiaconese of Toledo and was built between 1226 and 1493. It is considered to be the pinnacle of 3 High Gothic cathedrals in Spain. It is 45 m high and has an expensive monstrance inside.

It is said to be one of the greatest Gothic cathedrals of the world, but I didn't get inside. I didn't think it was worth to pay an entrance fee, since it wasn't allowed to take photos, and I didn't have enough time.


The Gothic Cathedral is 120m long. Before the cathedral was built, a mosque was on the place.

Ayuntamiento, the renaissance Town Hall of Toledo. To the right is Palacio Arzobispal.

Juzgado.

Palacio Arzobispal, Archbishop's Palace. This renaissance building is here seen from Plaza del Ayuntamiento.




Another sword shop.







Iglesia Santo Tomé is in the back. This church was built in the 14th century in Mudejar style and houses the famous painting "Burial of Count Orgaz" by El Greco.


In Toledo's Old Town you see historical churches everywhere.

Plaza Taller de Moro:

Museo Taller de Moro, a Moorish museum.






From Plaza de Moro you have views of the beautiful, hilly and wealthy south part of Toledo.


Iglesia de Santo Tomé (right).





A lot of tourist shops can be found in Toledo, where you can find these kind of armours.

Toledo is more sunny and green then Madrid, since it lies on a hill exposed to sun.

[Nightsky]

Sinagogue El Tránsito:


Sinagoga del Transito was built in 1336. Before it was converted into a museum it has been a church and a hospital. Only 3 synagogues are left in Spain. 2 of them are in Toledo (and one in Cordoba).



Museo Sefardi is a museum of jewish history inside the historic synagogue El Transito.

Anyone knows what this building is called?

It looks special, but I couldn’t find any info about it…

Plaza Amarillos del Tránsito.

[Nightsky]

House of El Greco:

House of El Greco, the famous painter.



Museo El Greco. El Greco was a famous painter that lived in Toledo. This is a recreation of his home, that were lost many years ago.

[Nightsky]

There are endless numbers of beautiful, narrow medieval lanes.

[the pope]

what? no toledo, OH jokes yet?

Nice work.

[OhioGuy]

Very nice!

[Kingofthehill]

A life-changer

[Boroda]

Great photos! I like them all

[STLgasm]

Damn, I want to go there.

[10023]

I love Spain. Didn't make it to Toledo last time, but certainly for the next trip.

[Nightsky]

Thanks!


Monasterio San Juan de los Reyes. The church in 1504, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist and is an example of Gothic-Spanish-Flemish style, San Juan de los Reyes was restored after the damage caused during Napoleon's invasion.



Monasterio San Juan de los Reyes. It was hard to take photo of it from afar.

Escuela de artes aplicadas y oficios artísticos, a fine arts school built in 1882.

The arts school and the Monasterio church.


Monasterio San Juan de los Reyes.

What is the building above called? Anyone knows?

[Nightsky]

The Jewish Quarters (Barrío de la Juderia):


Barrio de la Juderia is a very small area with narrow lanes.



The Jewish Quarters has some of the most narrow lanes in Toledo.


Plaza de Baldecalero.

[Expat]

Nightsky! I cannot keep up with you. I cannot look at pictures of Toledo without thinking of Elvis Costello's song "Toledo" & that great line "And does anyone in Ohio dream of that Spanish citadel?".

[acatalanb]

Nightsky, just to let you know I copied all your photos in my computer. Thanks.

[Nightsky]

@Expat: Haven't heard that, but it's like he wanted to sing that people in Toledo, Ohio don't care about Toledo, Spain. But there's a street called Calle de Toledo de Ohio in Toledo, Spain.

Originally Posted by acatalanb

Nightsky, just to let you know I copied all your photos in my computer. Thanks.

That's all right, I wouldn't put them on the web if I didn't like them for being saved. Just not for commercial use. But I want to know, why did you want the Toledo photos on your harddrive, do you like Toledo that much?