Toledo, Spain

This was a day trip we took while we were visiting Madrid, Spain because we had read about Toledo and how interesting an area it is. Toledo is perched atop a hill overlooking the vast expanse of the Tagus River, and it stands as a living testament to Spain's rich history, cultural diversity, and architectural brilliance. We took a Viator Bus Tour as it is only 87 kilometers from Madrid to Toledo, and using this method was a good solution for us as we did not want to rent a car while we were in Spain. Plus the tour was "guided" and they knew their way around Toledo.

NOTE: Visiting Toledo requires an entrance fee, currently it is 10€ - obtainable at the tourist office where they will give you a bracelet to wear to display that you have paid the entrance fee. Fees vary based upon age, family size, group size, etc.

This is the first view we had of Toledo as our tour bus crossed the River Tagus bridge. I would assume that the bus followed this route to give our tour group a great view of Toledo, and if so they certainly made it nice for us!

The river nearly encircles Toledo, as it winds its way back to the west of Spain. The Tagus River rises in the Sierra de Albarracín of eastern Spain, at a point about 90 miles (150 km) from the Mediterranean coast, and flows westward across Spain and Portugal for 626 miles (1,007 km) to empty into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon.

NOTE: Image # 2 above is the Puente de Alcántara that spans the Tagus River. It is the property of King of Hearts via Wikipedia Commons and the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

In image # 1 the Jewish emblem notes the boundary of the original Jewish section of the old city. However, during the Spanish Inquisition all Jews were expelled from Toledo and none live there today.

The Inquisition in Toledo, Spain, holds a dark chapter in history that spans several centuries. Established in the late 15th century by the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, the Spanish Inquisition was intended to maintain religious purity and unity in the newly unified Spain. Toledo, an influential city, became a significant center for the Inquisition's operations.

During this period, suspected heretics, Jews, and Muslims faced severe persecution. The accused were subjected to ruthless trials, often relying on torture to extract confessions or denunciations from witnesses. Many innocent lives were lost, and families were torn apart, creating an atmosphere of fear and suspicion within the community.

Image # 2 is a street scene in the quarter, not far from the Puerta de Assulca. That image is the property of José Luis Filpo Cabana via Wikipedia Commons using a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

Built by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella to celebrate their victory at the Battle of Toro in 1476, the monastery embodies the Spanish Gothic architectural style, exuding an aura of solemnity and grace. Completed in 1504, the monastery showcases an interesting blend of Gothic and Mudejar styles, characterized by its elaborate façade adorned with intricate carvings and delicate tracery. The interior boasts an impressive array of vaulted ceilings and elegantly designed cloisters, offering visitors a glimpse into the opulence of the Renaissance era.

The Monastery is renowned not only for its stunning architecture but also for its intriguing historical artifacts, particularly the chains of the freed Christian prisoners from Muslim times. These chains serve as tangible reminders of the monastery's original purpose: to commemorate the victory of Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella over the Moors at the Battle of Toro in 1476.

The chains symbolize the liberation of Christian captives during the Reconquista, a significant period in Spanish history marked by the recapture of territories from Muslim rule. As visitors gaze upon these iron shackles, they can't help but imagine the hardships endured by those prisoners and the triumph of freedom as they were released and returned home.

• Just Traveling Thru European Travel Tips
• Just Traveling Thru Travel Planning Tips
• The Toledo Tourist Office Website
• Britannica Toledo Information
• Toledo on the "Wikipedia" site (good history article)
• Youtube Search Results list for "Toledo Spain"
• Visit our Youtube Channel
• What to see in Toledo on the 'Spanish Sabores' site
• Toledo History on the 'Spain now & then' site
• The Top 10 Things To Do and See in Toledo on the 'Culture Trip' site
• Google Search Results list for "places to eat in Toledo"
• Google Search Results list for "accommodations in Toledo"

• Amazon Search Results list for "Toledo"
• Guided Day Trip Tour from Madrid to Toledo from "Get Your Guide"
• Our Image Gallery for Toledo
• Google Image Gallery for Toledo
• Google Reviews for Toledo, Spain