What to see in Toledo, five things that cannot be missing on a trip from Madrid to Toledo, for a low cost day.
If you are a Madrid and you want to take a trip out of town, Toledo is the best choice: just an hour by bus, a medieval town surrounded by beautiful walls, full of charm and history, always present in the works of Cervantes who loved it.
To reach it, just go to the bus station of the capital, from where the buses leave every half hour and guarantee a comfortable and cheap journey (not even 6 euros each way). Being quite small, it is possible to visit it entirely in a single day, enjoying its winding streets and its ancient buildings, all dominated by the magnificent cathedral. Here, then, are five things to see in Toledo.
The Primada Cathedral
Undisputed queen of the city, it is an imposing building in the Gothic style, whose construction was completed in the 8th century. Three naves with huge columns, frescoes, statues, a highly decorated altar, as well as the choir, truly a place of great charm that made it the main center of the dioceses of the region. Inside it is also possible to visit the cloister, the treasury and a collection of paintings which also boasts some examples by Caravaggio and Raphael. Admission tickets cost XNUMX euros, to which you can add a visit to the tower and the bell tower.
The Alcazar and the Army Museum
Inside the Alcázar, the great castle which now houses the Town Hall and the Library, the Army Museum has been set up; here in various rooms are set up to show how the Spanish army has evolved over the centuries, from the Middle Ages to our times: uniforms, war tools, weapons. A very interesting visit especially for children, whose entry is free (for adults, the price is 5 euros).
The Jewish quarter
Toledo was famous in ancient times for being a melting pot city of different cultures, which survived here even after the Christian Reconquista of 1085. In fact, the signs of Jewish and Muslim civilization are still tangible today and represent real jewels for their historical value. and cultural. In the Jewish quarter, or barrio judio, there are two of the three synagogues left throughout Spain: the Old Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca, with its very white arches, and the Synagogue del Tránsito, which also houses the Sefardì Museum. The cost for both is 2,50 euros, but the second can be visited for free after 14pm. Also here, there is also the Monastery of San Giovanni dei Re, a beautiful Gothic building that often housed kings from the capital; finally, the Museo de El Greco and the church of Santo Tomé, where it is possible to admire one of the author's most important works, The burial of the Count of Orgaz.
The Mosque of the Christ of Light
Small, but very impressive, this mosque was discovered and transformed into a Christian place of worship in the XNUMXth century. Legend has it that the horse of Alfonso VI, conqueror of the city, tripped over a stone, bringing to light this ancient Muslim mosque. Inside it is possible to admire, in fact, the fusion of the two cultures, with Arab decorations that are intertwined with precious Christian frescoes.
The Mirador of the hermitage of the valley
Taking bus 71, with a few pennies you can reach this unique place: located on the hills beyond the Tagus, immersed in silence, this small church overlooks the most famous view of the whole city: an unforgettable postcard of Toledo, which stands in all its splendor right in front of your eyes. There is also a refreshment point, to be able to afford a small aperitif with the classic caña of beer and olives, perhaps at sunset, when the light creates a unique spectacle.
