All cities in history have had to face several challenges. They go through moments of glory and periods of decline. Toledo overcame several military sieges, attacks and upheavals in its life time, emerging as an attractive place to live in. a place that is still able to surprise visitors at every step they take in its old streets!The day is lit, the winter sun
Is rising in the sky fresh,
Sun over the dark trees,
Sun and the blue sky….
Bliss!!!
The day is a special one,
A perfect day…..
Toledo is one of the luxuries found in Spain. Its privileged location, and the natural turn of the of the Tagus River, together with its continuous population from ages ago, create a unique city in which beautiful and harmonious buildings of an array of architectural styles. In its medieval past, Toledo appears as one of the cradles of Western culture.
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If one is in Madrid, at least a day trip to Toledo is a must. And choose a perfect sunny day to visit the ancient town of Toledo.
Vibrant in history, Toledo was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1986.
The best way to explore Toledo certainly is to have a long walk through it and look at the buildings of various epochs. The size of the city, however, does not suggest its magnificence. Within the walls, the rich history unfolds in buildings that are open for the public to explore.
Setting on a large hill, “Old Toledo” is encircled on three sides by the Tagus River. This old city retains its medieval road plan.
The roads turn and twist… the terrain irregular at once, pebbled at another and flat stones at some other!
Look to the left of the narrow street and find a unique visual treat… carved doorways, arched windows and stone exteriors. And then out of nowhere, comes up an alley, housing a tavern, with huge Moorish door, that creaks as you enter…
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Step inside and be transported into another world all together…
An open courtyard, the sun streaming though, warming your shoulders and your back.. As you sit back and sip the excellent wine from the nearby vineyards. Mind you though, the wine from Toledo can be relatively dry….
Beautiful potted plants play light and shadow in the sun rays… and a hot steaming tapas is bought along with your vino as the Spanish call it.
There is a beautiful folk tale that goes along with the tapa(s). A king of the 12th century loved drinking but wanted light snacks along with his wine. The bartender created little snacks and while getting it, he covered the wine glass with the plate of snacks.. And that’s where tapas comes from…a cover….and set forward a rule…every drink to be served with tapas!
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The rule still exists to date! Enter a bar and ask of a free tapas… all across Spain!
Toledo’s cuisine, fitting to the character of the town itself, puts you back into long gone times, and the dishes seem to be served out of one of Velasquez’s still life’s. Recipes are influenced by the region’s long tradition of hunting and cattle breeding, but show Moorish influences as well. But there are two products in particular that have made Toledo’s cuisine internationally famous: Queso Manchego, a very mature cheese often made of ewe’s milk, and marzipan which is produced here in extraordinary quality and exported into many countries.
Had I been exploring on my own, I would have lost my way due to the twisting streets, irregular terrain and the visual change of whole streets as storefronts disappeared behind twisting streets. In classic Moorish defensive construction the gate opens in to a long, zigzagging, open air hall. In ancient times, the zigzagging pathway made invaders easy targets for defending soldiers lining the rampart above. The city is strongly based on gothic architectural style, but has definite influence of Islamic art.
As one enters the city, you will see the city wall gate. An enchanting over powering structure in grey, it defines the beginning of the city of Toledo. It houses a big shield, which belongs to Carlos V.
Next to see is the church, as you walk up to the main square of the city. The church is in true gothic style with flying buttresses and wooden ceilings. Inside the patio, nice orange trees! But mind you, what you see are not the edible ones!!!
There are SO MANY beautiful views from Toledo, in every single angle… In every single part… But to see the “panoramic view” of the river Tajo, it’s just amazing… In the rocks in front, the birds rest, but with a single notice, you will watch hundreds of them flying and then, returning again to their place at the stones…
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