Hello fellow travelers! Toledo is a city located in the Spanish autonomous region of Castilla La Mancha. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is home to the beautiful Toledo Cathedral. Toledo is small, but despite that, it is full of rich history. The city is also known for its art history and was once home to three religions at the same time.
About The City
The city is the capital of Castilla-La Mancha, an autonomous community (similar to a state in the U.S) located in Spain. 7 other autonomous communities border Castilla-La Mancha. These include Madrid (the autonomous community), Aragon, Valencia, Castille and Leon, Murcia, and Andalusia (the largest autonomous community in Spain).
Toledo is known for its silversmiths. Swords are a common souvenir in the city. The Greek artist El Greco, also lived in Toledo from 1577 until his death in 1614. Some of his paintings are in the cathedral, while others are stored in the Prado Museum in Madrid.
Places To Explore
The view of the city and the Tagus river from a viewpoint
Swords, the city’s most popular souvenir
Marzipan in a storefront.
Toledo Cathedral
The Toledo Cathedral (Primatial Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption) is a Roman Catholic cathedral. Built in the Gothic style, it boasts many tall towers and pointy spires.
A painting of Saint Christopher carrying the Christ child.
The rosette on one of the stained glass windows. The cathedral holds the highest number of medieval stained glass windows.
A statuette of the Virgin Mary carrying the child of Christ.
The altarpiece of the cathedral
El Expolio (The Disrobing of Christ), a painting by El Greco. This is El Greco’s most famous painting. It depicts Jesus looking up into the heavens. The painting shows a man in green holding Jesus’ arm. Another man is disrobing him for his crucifixion.
El Transparente, one of the most outstanding features in the cathedral. El Transparente is a Baroque altarpiece. It is unique in that it gives the illusion of sunlight hitting the altar. Another hole that is on the back of the altarpiece allows sunlight to strike the tabernacle.
The ceiling of the sacristy of the cathedral. Vincenzo Carducci, Eugenio Caxés, Francisco Ricci, and Luca Giordano, painted the beautiful fresco. There are actrually multiple paintings located in the fresco, which come together to create a beautiful masterpiece.
The interior of the cathedral’s Portal of the Clock (Puerta del Reloj)
Part of the choir in the cathedral
The Monstrance of Arfe, a vessel used to display an object of piety. The monstrance is made of gold and silver and bejeweled with the finest gems. Contrary to its fragile appearance, the monstrance measures 10 feet tall.
The Burial of the Count of Orgaz
The Burial of the Count of Orgaz (El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz) is a painting. El Greco completed it in 1586. Don Gonzalo Ruiz de Toledo, the mayor of the small town of Orgaz, inspired this painting. This painting is located in the Iglesia de Santo Tomé (Church of Santo Tome), at the church’s back end. The entrance fee to the church is quite affordable, at only 3 euros per person.
The tower at the Church of Santo Tome.
Have you ever been to Toledo before?
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Toledo looks fascinating and magical. I would love to visit and see the silversmiths. The stained glass in the cathedral is so beautiful and colourful.
Thankl you for reading Susan! Toledo is definitely a beautiful and culturally rich place!