Toledo - The city of steel and swords

Trip Start Feb 15, 2008
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Trip End May 31, 2008


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Friday, March 28, 2008

Toledo lies 70 km south of Madrid and can be reached in just 45 minutes by train. The city is populated by around 84,000 people in total, though I don't think that too many actually live in the original city. Toledo was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage as one of the former capitals of the Spanish Empire and place of coexistence of Christian, Jewish and Muslim cultures. Toledo was famed for its production of steel and especially of swords and the city is still a centre for the manufacture of knives and other steel implements.
On arrival at this small city I could quickly see why this is such a popular day trip for tourists visiting Madrid. Toledo is a small historic walled medieval city perched on a hill in the Spanish countryside. There have been some subsequent modern areas added in recent years though these developments have occurred largely outside the original city.
Access to the city, from the railway station, can be gained by crossing a large historic bridge with a tower at both ends known as 'The Bridge of San Martin' Toledo's main gate
Toledo's main gate
 . This bridge crosses the River Tagus which encircles the city on three sides. Toledo is an authentic walled city and I'd not seen anything like this in real life before. As I neared the gate house which stands at the top of the hill I couldn't help but feel that I was going to be charged 20 Euros admission and find an amusement park with roller-coaster on the other side. The city is full of cute, narrow, coble stone streets and alleyways. This old city retains its medieval road plan; I often lost my way due to the twisting streets and irregular terrain. Getting lost is the most fun thing about Toledo.
The city's most prominent feature is the Alcazar of Toledo. From what I understand, the museum within the castle is a tribute to those that defended the Alcazar in a two month siege during the Spanish Civil War. Toledo's Cathedral, built between 1226 and 1492, is certainly the most interesting Gothic building in town. Well worth a look even if you don't want to go in you can get a great view from around the back of the building. I counted at least three other large Catholic Churches in the city, plus there are Jewish synagogues and an Islamic mosque. I arrived at Toledo at about 10.30 am and the streets were peaceful and quiet, though by 12 noon they were absolutely bustling with tourists. After my exploring I took relaxing, authentic Spanish lunch at a restaurant in the city before returning by train to Madrid.
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