Excursions from Madrid: Toledo

Madrid is a city filled with surprises. It not only offers museums and unique theatrical shows but also excursions full of historical and literary surprises. A few kilometers away is the city of Toledo, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. The good weather is the perfect excuse to visit new cities very close to Madrid, and Toledo is the great option.

Cervantes paid tribute to this city in several of his works. It is known for hosting throughout history the three most important religions: Jews, Muslims and Christians, and each one has left very rich historical and cultural traces. The Muslims built ten mosques and there is still one, which at the time was a small oratory: The Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, built in the tenth century during the Cordoba Caliphate.

In the 14th century, the Transit Synagogue was built despite the ban on the construction of religious buildings. It was permitted by Pedro I as a thank you for the support and fidelity of the Jews of the city of Toledo.

If art is what captures your attention, Toledo does not fall short. The Christian cathedral houses collections of paintings by Lucas Jordán, Van Dick and Goya. It also has the Casa Museo de El Greco, which houses works such as Las Lágrimas de San Pedro and El Apostolado.

A visit to the Alcázar of Toledo is a must. It was the first square fortress and each façade offers a style from each period. From the Bridge of San Martín, you can see one of the most beautiful sunsets in the city.

To get to Toledo from Sol, you must take Metro Line 1 to Atocha where you can buy a fast train and in 25 minutes you will be in one of the cities considered jewels of Spain.

Categories: Excursiones