Top 20 Attractions in Toledo

Toledo is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. The appearance of its historical center has remained virtually unchanged since the 15th century. Powerful city gates, walls of impregnable fortresses and labyrinths of narrow streets never cease to amaze the guests of Toledo. Since the 5th century, the city has been the capital of the Visigothic state. Until the 16th century, the residence of the Castilian kings was located here.

Toledo is famous not only for its unique architecture. For many centuries, weapons and jewelry craft flourished here. The famous blades made of Toledo steel and jewelry made of Toledo silver gained popularity in the Early Middle Ages. Today, they are considered a luxury item and are prized by collectors around the world.

What to see and where to go in Toledo?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Alcazar of Toledo

A formidable fortress towering over the city is ready to withstand any siege. Its towers and walls are perfectly visible from any part of the city. The castle was built in the 16th century according to the design of A. de Covarrubias. At one time it served as the residence of the kings of Castile. During the civil war of the 1930s, the building was damaged during the siege, but later it was restored. Today, the alcazar houses a library and a military museum.

Cathedral of Saint Mary

A magnificent Gothic cathedral of the 13th-15th centuries, which was erected on the site of an ancient Visigoth church. It is one of the largest in Spain. Its tower reaches a height of 44 meters. Inside the cathedral there is a valuable collection of works of art. The collection contains works by the incomparable Titian, Caravaggio and El Greco, as well as unique jewelry created in the Middle Ages.

Gate of Bisagra

Bisagra Gate welcomes guests arriving in the city from Madrid. This monumental building consists of two powerful towers connected by an entrance portal and an arched passage. There is a statue of Charles V on the gate. They are decorated with the coat of arms of the Habsburg dynasty of impressive size and other heraldic symbols. Today, visitors to Toledo see the Bisagra gate in the form in which they have been preserved since the 16th century.

Gate of Puerta del Sol

Gate of the XIV century, built by the knights of the Order of Malta. In the Middle Ages, Puerta del Sol was part of the defensive system of Toledo and served to protect the approaches to the city. The architecture of the building clearly traces the Moorish style. Above the arched entrance is an image of a scene from the life of Saint Ildefonso, the revered archbishop of Toledo in the Visigoth era.

St. Martin's Bridge

An arched bridge over the Tagus River, built in the 13th-14th centuries by the will of Archbishop P. Tenorio to provide access to the city from the west side. In the 16th century, stone towers were erected on both sides of the bridge to strengthen it. The structure consists of five impressive arches. From here you have a great view of the sights of the historical part of Toledo.

Alcantara bridge

Until the 13th century, the Alcantara Bridge was the only bridge across the Tagus River. Numerous pilgrims got to Toledo along it. It is believed that it was built at the end of the 9th century. By that time, the old Roman bridges had already collapsed or were destroyed by the Arab conquerors. Alcantara has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. In the 1920s, it was officially recognized as an architectural monument.

Castle of San Servando

Fortification of the XIV century, located next to the Alcazar of Toledo. It is believed that San Servando was built during the Roman Empire. Later the fortress was rebuilt by the Visigoths and Moors. After Toledo was conquered from the Arabs in the 11th century, the castle was converted into the monastery of St. Germanus and Servando, but after a while the building was again used to defend the city. The last reconstruction of the building was carried out in the first half of the 20th century.

Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes

Franciscan monastery founded by Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile in the 15th century. The monastery was built according to the project of H. Guas in the Isabelino style - a mixture of European Gothic, Mudéjar and Moorish style. The Catholic kings decided to build it in honor of the victory over the Portuguese in 1476 (Battle of Toro). At the moment the monastery is active.

Synagogue del Transito

Jewish temple of the XIV century, erected under the ruler Pedro I of Castile. In the 15th century, part of the synagogue complex was bought by the artist El Greco. After the expulsion of the Jews, the building was transferred to the Catholic monastery of San Benito. In 1877 the synagogue was declared a national monument. Now there is a Jewish museum of the Sephardi ethnic group, and in one of the buildings there is the house-museum of El Greco.

Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca

The temple was built by the Moors in the 11th century for the needs of a large Jewish community. The building burned down in the 13th century, but was later reconstructed under King Alfonso X, despite the prohibition of the Pope. Since the beginning of the 15th century, when the persecution of Jews in Toledo was gaining momentum, the synagogue was turned into a Christian basilica named after the Holy Virgin Mary the White. A few years later it was closed and abandoned. Only in the XIX century the temple was restored.

Church of San Ildefonso

The baroque church was built in the 17th-18th centuries. Construction work continued for almost 100 years, five architects managed to work on the project. Even after the consecration of the temple, separate buildings were completed for another 40 years. Initially, the church was built for the Order of St. Ignatius, but after its abolition, it became a parish church. The Jesuits took back the building in the 1930s.

Church of Santo Tome

The temple, first of all, is famous for the painting by El Greco "The Burial of Count Orgas". The canvas was created by the artist specifically for the church in 1576. Later it was recognized as one of the greatest creations of the master. In general, against the backdrop of the architectural masterpieces of Toledo, the Church of Santo Tome looks quite inconspicuous. It was built in the Mudéjar style and served as a mosque until the expulsion of the Moors from the city.

Mosque of Cristo de la Luz

The former mosque is located in the suburbs of Toledo. It was built in the 10th century by the Arab architect Moussa ibn Ali Saad. Today the building is considered one of the most ancient in the city. Like other Muslim temples, after the establishment of the power of the Spanish kings in Toledo, it was converted into a Christian church. Inside the Cristo de la Luz, valuable frescoes from the 13th century have been preserved.

El Greco Museum

For a long time, El Greco lived on the territory of the former Jewish quarter of Toledo. The artist's house-museum recreates a unique atmosphere that takes visitors several centuries back to the time when the great master created his masterpieces. In the museum you can see not only paintings by El Greco, but also by other painters. The personal belongings of the maestro, as well as samples of furniture and ceramics are exhibited here.

Santa Cruz Museum

The Santa Cruz Museum houses the largest collection of El Greco paintings in the world. A hospital was located here in the 15th century. The building was badly damaged during the civil war, but it was restored in the 1960s. The museum exposition is located in three thematic halls - archaeological, sculpture and painting. A separate room is reserved for El Greco's paintings.

Tavera Hospital

The hospital building was erected in the 16th-17th centuries at the behest of Cardinal Tavera, a major church figure and inquisitor. The building was built in the Renaissance style according to the project of A. de Covarrubias. On the territory of the hospital there is an art museum, which contains the private collection of the Duke of Lerma. The building belonged to the church before the civil war, later the state confiscated all the property in its favor.

Sokodover Square

The square is located in the center of Toledo on the site of the former Arab market, where cattle were traded in the Middle Ages. Popular tourist routes start from here. It hosts fairs, concerts, festivals and other social events. After a fire in 1589, the area was almost completely burned down. The modern architectural appearance of the place took shape only by the middle of the 19th century.

City Hall of Toledo

The building of the city municipality began to be erected at the beginning of the 17th century according to the project of J. de Herrera. A few decades later, work was continued under the guidance of the architect H. E. Theotokopuli, the son of El Greco. The construction of the building lasted almost 100 years. The town hall is made in the style of "Italian classicism". Its features are distinguished by symmetry and simplicity of lines, which emphasize the elegance of the shape of the facade.

Toledo train station

The station is one of the main attractions of the city. The splendid Mudéjar building is the first thing tourists arriving by train see. The station looks like a medieval Moorish castle, decorated with carved window openings. A picturesque tower with a clock dial adjoins the station building. The interior decoration is not inferior in beauty to the exterior and also resembles the dwelling of the fabulous caliph.

Viewpoint "Mirador del Valle"

The most impressive views of Toledo are opened to the tourist from places located outside the city. The best point for contemplation of the sights is considered to be "Mirador del Valle" - a platform located on the ring road encircling the city. It offers views of the river, valley, hills and historic quarters. A delightful panorama can capture the attention of a tourist for a long time.