POST DOSTĘPNY TAKŻE PO POLSKU
This small city, with a population of approx. 85.000, is one of the most charming places I’ve ever visited. We go there on a one-day excursion from Madrid, it’s only about 70 km south. You can get there by train from the Atocha station (it takes about 30 minutes, return ticket: 20€) or by bus from the bus station at plaza Elíptica (the trip lasts 1-1,5h, depending on the route, return ticket: 9,62€).
Train and bus stations in Toledo are situated at the outskirts of the town. To get to the center, plaza Zocodover, you can take a public bus. Right from the bus stop you can go to Oficina de Turismo. A walk from the station to the center takes about 10 minutes, but you have to climb up a hill on which the city is located.
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| Charming street in the Jewish quarter |
Toledo fully deserves its title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearly every building in the old town tells its interesting story. It’s true especially in regard with the former Jewish quarter. Nevertheless it seems that one day here would be enough to see the most interesting sights. All the monuments are in a walking distance.
After this you can sit in one of the several cafés in the main town square to relax while sipping a coffee or a beer. For lunch it’s better to choose a place in a side-street, it’ll be cheaper and more peaceful. So-called menú del día (entrée, main course, bread and dessert) start from 9€.
If someone needs to calm down a bit – they can stay here for the night. Toledo is a charming and peaceful place, narrow streets with little shops and restaurants give it a specific character and atmosphere. Evening walk ending with a visit in a café would be obligatory then.
Sightseeing
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| Puerta del Sol |
*Puerta del Sol – c/ Carretas; one of the city gates, from XIV century
*Mosque (Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz); c/Cuesta de Carmelitas Descalzos 10. Interesting building of the mosque, not far from Puerta del Sol. Open: Mon-Fri 10-14 & 15.30-17.45, Sat-Sun 10-18.40; entry: 2,50€
*Puerta Antigua de Bisagra (called also Puerta de Alfonso VI) – Arabic city gate from IX century
*Cathedral (Catedral Primada); c/ Cardenal Cisneros. After the cathedral in Burgos one of the most important Gothic building in Spain, second largest after Sevilla, build in 1227-1493 in the place of the first cathedral, converted into a mosque during the Moorish times. Open: Mon-Sat 10-18.30, Sun 14-18.30; entry to the cathedral, tower and courtyard: 11€, entry to the museum: 8€; entry to the tower only at specific hours: Mon-Sat 10.30, 11.15, 12, 12.45, 16, 16.45 [Sun – tower closed]
*Fortress (Alcazar); c/ Unión. Fortress from XIV century, build on the highest hill of the town, re-built and re-constructed many times after continues damages . Destroyed completely during a siege in 1936. It was re-built according to the plans from Charles V times. It houses big Army Museum (Museo del Ejército).It’s one of the symbols of the town. Open: Thur-Tue 11-17 [Wed closed]; entry: 5€, Sun – free admission
*Church of St. Thomas (Iglesia Santo Tomé); plaza del Conde. Built in XIV century, former mosque in mudéjar style, famous for El Greco painting “The Burial of the count of Orgaz”. Open: daily 10-19; entry: 2,50€
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| In the Museum of the Visigoth Culture |
*Church of St. Román (Iglesia San Román); c/ San Román. Built in XII century, it houses a museum with an interesting collection from the Visigoth times (Museo de los Concilios y la Cultura Visigoda). Open: Tue-Sat 10-14 & 16-19, Sun 10-14.30 [Mon closed]; free admission
*Synagogue of El Tránsito (Sinagoga del Tránsito); c/ Samuel Leví. Built in 1356, it´s now the Museum of the Sephardi Jews (Museo Nacional de Arte Hispanojudío y Sefardí). Open: Mon-Sat 9.30-20.30, Sun 10-15; entry:3€; free admission: Sat after 14h, Sun
*Museum of El Greco (Museo El Greco); paseo del Tránsito. Open: Tue-Sat 9.30-20; Sun 10-15; entry: 5€ (includes entry to the Museum of the Sephardi Jews); free admission: Sat after 14h, Sun
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| Courtyard in the monastery of St. John |
*Monastery of St. john (Monasterio San Juan de los Reyes); c/ San Juan de los Reyes 2. One of the most spectacular examples of the Gothic architecture in Spain; built in XV-XVI centuries in a combination of Gothic-Spanish-Flemish style. Open: daily 10-18.30; entry: 2,5€
*Town hall (Ayuntamiento); plaza Ayuntamiento; a building from XVI-XVII centuries; on a big square where local events and celebrations are organized
*Roman baths (Termas Romanas de Amador de los Ríos); plaza Amador de los Ríos. This place, discovered due to the archaeological excavations, is a witness of the importance of Toledo as an urban center in the past. Open: Tue-Sat 10-14 & 17-20, Sun 10-14 [Mon closed]; free admission
*Castle of St. Servando (Castillo de San Servando); carretera de Circunvalación. Medieval castle from XIV century, located on the Tagus bank; one of the most interesting examples of the military buildings in the mudéjar style; nearby there are the remains of a little Roman aqueduct, bridge and Alcántara gate. It can be admired only from the outside; it houses now a hotel.
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| Plaza Zocodover decorated for a local feast |