Bisagra gate
On a recent trip to Madrid, when I had a day off, I took the train from Atocha railway station to Toledo where I had never been before. Spanish trains are very punctual, efficient and fast, contrary to my belief based on misled assumptions from Chris de Burgh's song about God and the devil playing chess which would predict a lengthy ride. The ride was 30 min for a distance of 73 km - that is quite an impressive average!
Toledo sits on a horseshoe-like bend of the river Tajo (Tejo when it runs into Portugal). Its skyline is dominated by the cathedral (left) and the Alcazar (right).
Toledo has been a town since Roman times, and is now a UNESCO world heritage site, with lots of monuments of Christian, Jewish and Muslim origin.
The cathedral is absolutely spectacular. I have rarely seen such splendour - Catholic of course, but never mind :).
The "Chorgestühl"
There is a spectacular "hole" in the ceiling with a skylight where sun rays float in and strike a glorious Baroque altar piece.
a proud Maria
I can't imagine she was as happy with the turn of her son's life later ...
the more recent bishops are all painted wearing their glasses
swallows, swifts and pidgeons circle the tower
Here a different architecture: One might think to be in an old mosque in moorish style. No, it is the Synagoge Santa Maria la Blanca from 1180.
Furthermore El Greco is a son of the city. "El Greco's house" can be visited, with a few pictures and many contemporaries' paintings, but beware: it is not the place where he lived and worked - it is more of an imaginative "approximation" by a rich 20th century donor.
In the Cathedral the old sacristy has El Greco on display.
Toledo is a uniquely pretty town to walk, up and down the hilly cobblestoned streets, wandering tourists protected by a sort of lining put up against the glaring midday heat.
Toledo, Spain, not Toledo, US. It becomes obvious when you turn around and inspect the station, built in 1919 in remarkable neo-moorish style.
Enjoy the visit!
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