Toledo is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. The appearance of its historic center has remained virtually unchanged since the 15th 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 Visigoth state. Until the 16th century, it was the seat of the Castilian kings.
Toledo is famous not only for its unique architecture. For centuries, weapons and jewelry have flourished here. The famous Toledo steel blades and Toledo silver jewelry have gained popularity since the early Middle Ages. Today they are considered a luxury item and are prized by collectors around the world.
The best hotels and hotels at affordable prices.
from 500 rubles / day
What to see and where to go in Toledo?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Toledo Alcazar
A 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 16th century according to the project of A. de Covarrubias. At one time it served as the seat of the kings of Castile. During the civil war of the 1930s, the structure was damaged during the siege, but later it was rebuilt. Today the alcazar houses a library and a military museum.
Cathedral of Saint Mary
A magnificent Gothic cathedral of the 13th-15th centuries, which was erected on the site of an ancient Visigoth church. It is one of the largest in Spain. Its tower is 44 meters high. 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 the Madrid side. This monumental structure consists of two powerful towers connected by an entrance portal and an arched passage. A statue of Charles V is installed on the gate. They are decorated with the coat of arms of the Habsburg dynasty of impressive size and other heraldic symbols. Today, guests of Toledo see the Bisagra gate in the form in which it has been preserved since the 16th century.
Puerta del Sol gate
The 14th century gate, built by the Knights of the Order of Malta. In the Middle Ages, the Puerta del Sol was part of the Toledo defensive system and served to guard the approaches to the city. The architecture of the building clearly shows the Moorish style. Above the arched entrance is an image of a scene from the life of Saint Ildefonso, the revered archbishop of Toledo of the Visigoth era.
Saint Martin's bridge
An arched bridge over the Tagus River, erected in the 13th-14th centuries at the behest of Archbishop P. Tenorio to provide access to the city from the west. In the 16th century, stone towers were erected on both sides to strengthen the bridge. The structure consists of five imposing arches. An excellent view of the sights of the historic part of Toledo opens from here.
Alcantara bridge
Until the 13th century, the Alcantara Bridge was the only crossing over the Tagus River. Numerous pilgrims got to Toledo along it. It is believed to have been built at the end of the 9th century. By that time, the old Roman bridges had already collapsed or were destroyed by the Arab conquerors. Alcantara has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. 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. It is believed that San Servando was built during the time of the Roman Empire. Later the fortress was rebuilt by the Visigoths and Moors. After Toledo was conquered from the Arabs in the 11th century, the castle was converted into the monastery of St. Herman and Servando, but after a while the building was again used to defend the city. The last reconstruction of the building was carried out in the first half of the 20th century.
Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes
Franciscan monastery founded by Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile in the 15th century. The monastery was built according to the project of J. Guas in the Isabelino style - a mixture of European Gothic, Mudejar and Moorish style. The Catholic kings decided to build it to commemorate the victory over the Portuguese in 1476 (Battle of Toro). At the moment, the monastery is active.
Synagogue del Transito
Jewish temple of the XIV century, erected under the ruler Pedro I of Castile. In the 15th century, part of the synagogue complex was bought by the artist El Greco. 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 of Santa Maria la Blanca
The temple was erected by the Moors in the 11th century for the needs of the large Jewish community. The building burned down in the 13th century, but was later rebuilt under King Alfonso X, despite the Pope's ban. Since the beginning of the 15th 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 White. A few years later, it was closed and abandoned. The temple was restored only in the 19th century.
Church of San Ildefonso
The baroque church was built in the 17th-18th centuries. Construction work lasted almost 100 years; five architects managed to work on the project. Even after the consecration of the temple, individual 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 reclaimed the building in the 1930s.
Church of Santo Tome
The temple is primarily famous for the painting by El Greco "The Burial of Count Orgaz". 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 rather inconspicuous. It was built in the Mudejar style and served as a mosque until the expulsion of the Moors from the city.
Cristo de la Luz Mosque
The former mosque is located in the suburb of Toledo. It was built in the 10th century by the Arab architect Mussa 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 from the 13th century have been preserved.
El Greco Museum
For a long time, El Greco lived in the former Jewish quarter of Toledo. In the house-museum of the artist, a unique atmosphere has been recreated, which takes visitors several centuries back to the time when the great master created his masterpieces. In the museum you can see not only El Greco's paintings, but also other painters. The maestro's personal belongings are exhibited here, as well as samples of furniture and ceramics.
Santa Cruz Museum
The Santa Cruz Museum exhibits the world's largest collection of El Greco paintings. In the 15th century, a hospital was located here. The building was badly damaged during the civil war, but was restored in the 1960s. The museum exposition is located in three thematic halls - the archaeological hall, the sculpture hall and the painting hall. A separate room is reserved for El Greco's paintings.
Tavera Hospital
The hospital building was erected in the 16th-17th centuries at the behest of Cardinal Tavera, a prominent church figure and inquisitor. The building was built in the Renaissance style according to the project A. On the territory of the hospital there is an art museum, 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 property in its favor.
Sokodover Square
The square is located in the center of Toledo on the site of the former Arab market, where livestock was traded in the Middle Ages. Popular tourist routes start from here. It hosts fairs, concerts, festivals and other social events. After a fire in 1589, the area was almost completely burned down. The modern architectural appearance of the place took shape only by the middle of the 19th century.
Toledo Town Hall
The construction of the city hall began at the beginning of the 17th century according to the project of J. de Herrera. Several decades later, the work was continued under the guidance of the architect H.E. Teotokopouli, the son of El Greco. The construction of the building took 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 grace of the shape of the facade.
Toledo train station
The station is one of the main attractions of the city. The magnificent Mudejar building is the first sight seen by tourists arriving by train. The station looks like a medieval Moorish castle, decorated with carved window openings. A picturesque tower with a clock face adjoins the station building. The interior decoration is not inferior in beauty to the exterior and also resembles the dwelling of a fabulous caliph.
Viewpoint "Mirador del Valle"
The most impressive views of Toledo open to tourists from places located outside the city. The best point for contemplating the sights is considered the "Mirador del Valle" - a platform located on the ring road that encircles the city. It offers views of the river, valley, hills and historic quarters. A delightful panorama can capture the attention of a tourist for a long time.
