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    Tourist Attractions in Toledo

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Toledo. Photos and a brief description.

    Toledo
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    About Toledo

    Toledo is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. The appearance of its historical center has remained almost unchanged since the XV century. Powerful city gates, walls of impregnable fortresses and labyrinths of narrow streets never cease to delight the guests of Toledo. Since the 5th century, the city has been the capital of the Visigothic state. Until the XVI century, the residence of the Castilian kings was located here.

    Toledo is famous not only for its unique architecture. Gunsmithing and jewelry making have flourished here for many centuries. The famous Toledo steel blades and Toledo silver jewelry gained popularity in the Early Middle Ages. Today they are considered a luxury item and are valued by collectors all over the world.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Toledo

    Toledo Alcazar

    The formidable fortress towering over the city is ready to withstand any siege. Its towers and walls are perfectly visible from any part of the city. The castle was built in the XVI century according to the project of A. de Covarrubias. At one time it served as the residence of the kings of Castile. During the Civil War of the 1930s, the structure was damaged during the siege, but later it was restored. Today, the alcazar houses a library and a military museum.

    Toledo Alcazar
    St. Mary's Cathedral

    St. Mary's Cathedral

    A magnificent Gothic cathedral of the XIII-XV centuries, which was erected on the site of the ancient Visigothic church. It is one of the largest in Spain. Its tower reaches a height of 44 meters. A valuable collection of works of art is kept inside the cathedral. The collection includes works by the incomparable Titian, Caravaggio and El Greco, as well as unique jewelry created in the Middle Ages.

    Bisagra Gate

    The Bisagra Gate welcomes guests arriving in the city from Madrid. This monumental structure consists of two powerful towers connected by an entrance portal and an arched passage. There is a statue of Charles V. on the gate . They are decorated with the coat of arms of the Habsburg dynasty of impressive size and other heraldic symbols. Today, visitors to Toledo see the Bisagra Gate in the form in which they have been preserved since the XVI century.

    Bisagra Gate
    Puerta del Sol Gate

    Puerta del Sol Gate

    The gate of the XIV century, built by the Knights of the Order of Malta. In the Middle Ages, the Puerta del Sol was part of the defensive system of Toledo and served to protect the approaches to the city. The architecture of the building clearly traces the Moorish style. Above the arched entrance there is an image of a scene from the life of Saint Ildefonso, the venerated Archbishop of Toledo of the Visigothic era.

    St. Martin's Bridge

    Arch bridge over the Tagus River, built in the XIII-XIV centuries by the will of Archbishop P. Tenorio to provide access to the city from the west side. In the XVI century, stone towers were erected on both sides of the bridge to strengthen it. The structure consists of five impressive arches. From here you can enjoy a great view of the attractions of the historical part of Toledo.

    St. Martin's Bridge
    Alcantara Bridge

    Alcantara Bridge

    Until the XIII century, the Alcantara Bridge was the only crossing over the Tagus River. Numerous pilgrims used it to get to Toledo. It is believed that it was erected at the end of the IX century. By that time, the old Roman bridges had already collapsed or been destroyed by the Arab conquerors. Alcantara was repeatedly destroyed and restored. In the 1920s, it was officially recognized as an architectural monument.

    San Servando Castle

    Fortification of the XIV century, located next to the Toledo Alcazar. There is an opinion that San Servando was built during the Roman Empire. Later, the fortress was rebuilt by the Visigoths and Moors. After Toledo was conquered from the Arabs in the XI century, the castle was converted into the monastery of St. Herman and Servando, but after a while the structure was again used for the defense of the city. The last reconstruction of the building was carried out in the first half of the XX century.

    San Servando Castle
    Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes

    Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes

    The Franciscan monastery founded by Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile in the XV century. The monastery was built according to the project of H. Guasa in the style of Isabelino – a mixture of European Gothic, Mudejar and Moorish manners. The Catholic kings decided to build it in honor of the victory over the Portuguese in 1476 (the Battle of Toro). At the moment, the monastery is active.

    Synagogue del Transito

    A 14th-century Jewish temple built under the ruler Pedro I of Castile. In the XV century, the artist El Greco bought part of the synagogue complex. After the expulsion of the Jews, the building was transferred to the Catholic monastery of San Benito. In 1877, the synagogue was declared a national monument. Now there is a Jewish museum of the Sephardic ethnic group, and in one of the buildings there is the El Greco House Museum.

    Synagogue del Transito
    Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca

    Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca

    The temple was built by the Moors in the XI century for the needs of a large Jewish community. The building burned down in the XIII century, but was later reconstructed under King Alfonso X, despite the pope's ban. Since the beginning of the XV century, when the persecution of Jews in Toledo was gaining momentum, the synagogue was turned into a Christian basilica named after the Holy Virgin Mary the White. A few years later it was closed and abandoned. Only in the XIX century the temple was restored.

    Church of San Ildefonso

    The Baroque church was built in the XVII-XVIII centuries. Construction work lasted almost 100 years, five architects managed to work on the project. Even after the consecration of the temple, separate buildings were completed for another 40 years. Initially, the church was built for the Order of St. Ignatius, but after its abolition it became a parish church. The Jesuits regained the building in the 1930s.

    Church of San Ildefonso
    Church of Santo Tome

    Church of Santo Tome

    The temple is primarily famous for El Greco's painting "The Burial of Count Orgas". The canvas was created by the artist specifically for the church in 1576. Later it was recognized as one of the greatest creations of the master. In general, against the background of the architectural masterpieces of Toledo, the church of Santo Tome looks quite inconspicuous. It was built in the Mudekhar style and served as a mosque before the expulsion of the Moors from the city.

    Cristo de la Luz Mosque

    The former mosque is located in the suburbs of Toledo. It was built in the X century by the Arab architect Moussa ibn Ali Saad. Today the building is considered one of the oldest in the city. Like other Muslim temples, after the establishment of the power of the Spanish kings in Toledo, it was converted into a Christian church. Inside the Cristo de la Luz, valuable frescoes of the XIII century have been preserved.

    Cristo de la Luz Mosque
    El Greco Museum

    El Greco Museum

    For a long time El Greco lived on the territory of the former Jewish quarter of Toledo. The artist's house-museum recreates a unique atmosphere that takes visitors back several centuries to the time when the great master created his masterpieces. In the museum you can see not only the paintings of El Greco, but also other painters. The maestro's personal belongings are on display here, as well as samples of furniture and ceramics.

    Santa Cruz Museum

    The Santa Cruz Museum exhibits the world's largest collection of paintings by El Greco. In the XV century, a hospital was located here. The building was badly damaged during the Civil War, but in the 1960s it was restored. The museum exposition is located in three thematic halls – the archaeological hall, the sculpture hall and the painting hall. There is a separate room for El Greco's paintings.

    Santa Cruz Museum
    Tavera Hospital

    Tavera Hospital

    The hospital building was erected in the XVI-XVII centuries by the will of Cardinal Tavera, a major church figure and inquisitor. The building was built in the Renaissance style according to the project of A. de Covarrubias. There is an art museum on the territory of the hospital, which contains the private collection of the Duke of Lerma. The building belonged to the church before the Civil War, later the state confiscated all the property in its favor.

    Socodover Square

    The square is located in the center of Toledo on the site of the former Arab market, where cattle were traded in the Middle Ages. Popular tourist routes start from here. Fairs, concerts, festivals and other social events are held here. After the fire of 1589, the square almost completely burned down. The modern architectural appearance of the place was formed only by the middle of the XIX century.

    Socodover Square
    Toledo City Hall

    Toledo City Hall

    The building of the city municipality began to be erected at the beginning of the XVII century according to the project of X. de Herrera. A few decades later, the work was continued under the direction of architect H. E. Teotokopouli, the son of El Greco. The construction of the building lasted almost 100 years. The town Hall is made in the style of "Italian classicism". Its features are distinguished by symmetry and simplicity of lines, which emphasize the elegance of the facade shape.

    Toledo Train Station

    The station is one of the main attractions of the city. The building in the magnificent Mudekhar style is the first thing that tourists arriving by train see. The station looks like a medieval Moorish castle decorated with carved window openings. Adjacent to the station building is a picturesque clock tower with a clock face. The interior decoration is not inferior in beauty to the exterior and also resembles the dwelling of a fabulous caliph.

    Toledo Train Station
    Observation deck

    Observation deck "Mirador del Valle"

    The most impressive views of Toledo are opened to tourists from places located outside the city. The best point for attractionseeing is considered to be the "Mirador del Valle" — a platform located on the ring road encircling the city. It offers views of the river, valley, hills and historic neighborhoods. A delightful panorama can capture the attention of a tourist for a long time.