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Home to one of Spain’s best-preserved old towns (and the country’s second-biggest church!), Toledo in central Castilla-La Mancha region is a must-visit. Here are 10 incredible things to do in Toledo, including the best of the UNESCO-listed medieval city.

EL ALCAZAR

Perched on one of the highest points in Toledo, El Alcazar overlooks the city. The old fortress originates from Roman times but was rebuilt by Alfonso VI and Alfonso X and later by Emperor Charles V.

Today, El Alcazar is a Military Museum exhibiting the history of the Spanish army. The building itself, especially the main patio and stairs, are very impressive. It’s worth visiting just for the stunning city views from the top balcony.

MEZQUITA CRISTO DE LA LUZ

Located inside the ancient medina where Toledo’s wealthy Muslim families used to live, the Mezquita Cristo de la Luz was built in 999. The square-shaped mosque is still in pretty much the same state as when it was built, which is makes it quite special.

CATEDRAL PRIMADA

The main cathedral of Toledo, Catedral Primada, is one of the most majestic structures in the medieval town centre. The Medieval Gothic style architecture is very unique and ranks among the top 10 cathedrals in Spain.

THE EL GRECO MUSEUM

The El Greco Museum is dedicated to late renaissance art painted by the famous El Greco. He was originally Greek (El Greco means ‘The Greek’ in Spanish), but lived most of his life in Toledo. The museum opened in the Jewish Quarter in 1911 and consists of two buildings, a beautiful courtyard and a garden.
Other than El Greco paintings, the museum contains works by other Spanish artists from the 17th century, as well as furniture and ceramics.

PUENTE DE ALCANTARA
Puente de Alcantara might just be the most beautiful of the historic bridges in Toledo. Crossing the Tajo river, the old Roman bridge used to be the only entry to the city for pilgrims. The bridge is situated below the medieval Castle of San Servando.
While the Puente de Alcantara originates from Roman times, the bridge you see today was rebuilt in the 10th century after it was damaged.

Plaza de Zocodover

The heart of Toledo's historic centre is Plaza de Zocodover. It's the main square in Toledo, and is known as the "plaza with many names" because its name has changed so many times over the centuries. In the medieval period it would have been the plaza where animals were sold, and the buildings would have been used as inns for travellers. One of the main attractions in Plaza de Zocodover is Arco de la Sangre (Arch of Blood) which gets its name from the image of Christ of the Blood underneath the clock. When Toledo was under Arab rule, this arch would have separated the city from the military compound. To the right of the plaza you will find the Alcázar de Toledo, which dates back to the Romans in the 3rd century, and was restored and used as a palace in the 16th century. Today it's home to the Military Museum which is a very popular thing to see in Toledo.

Explore the streets in the Jewish Quarter

One of my favourite areas in Toledo was the Jewish Quarter. The narrow streets intertwining with one another really made you feel like you were taking a step back in time, and there were plenty of interesting spots to visit here too. Close to the Jewish Quarter is where you'll find Iglesia de Santo Tomé (included in the Tourist Bracelet) which is home to El Greco's famous 16th century painting The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. There is also the Museo del Greco nearby where you can see other works by the famous Greek artist who called Toledo home.

Walk through Puerta del Sol

Running along the perimeter of Toledo's old town is Puerta del Sol - a city gate built in the 14th century with a medallion above the horseshoe arch depicting the city's patron saint. There are two images of the sun and the moon on the medallion as well which were added in the 16th century and is where the name of the gate comes from (it's also positioned facing the east where the sun rises). It's actually one of the most photographed monuments in Toledo, and you can get some gorgeous views of the rest of the city below from the walking path next to it.
Category
History
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