Toledo - A Historical Journey Through Three Cultures - Part 2

Hello friends. We continued our Toledo journey with a visit to the Tranzito synagogue. Here there is a bust of Samuel Halevi, the financial advisor to King Philip II. Samuel Halevi notably financed the construction of the Tranzito Synagogue. Interestingly there was a queue to enter the synagogue. While waiting in line, I noticed a group of modern sculptures. These were works by Spanish sculptor Paco Rojas, offering a modern interpretation of the Twelve Apostles. And there’s a park nearby, but it was closed due to the wind. Although the wind wasn’t particularly strong, the authorities were concerned about a tree falling and possibly injuring an El Greco admirer.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t enter the synagogue. I arrived 15 minutes before closing and they didn’t let me in. So I had to settle for admiring it from the outside. Another fascinating aspect of this area is how the boundaries are designed. The signs are embedded in the pavements and illuminated at night.

If you can’t get into one synagogue, you can always find another to explore. Eventually I entered the Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue. It’s quite an old synagogue, built in the 12th century and used until the 15th century. After the Reconquista, it was converted into a Catholic church, later served as an orphanage and then became a military depot. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was recognized as a national monument and opened to the public as a museum. The interior doesn’t contain much, but since I don’t often visit synagogues, I found it interesting to see its architecture. The space is quite elegant and uniquely arranged. I liked it.

Next I visited a monastery. This monastery was founded in 1476 by Ferdinand to commemorate the Spanish victory over the Portuguese at the Battle of Toro. Interestingly the Portuguese believe they won that battle. It seems one flank retreated while the other advanced, leading to a somewhat inconclusive result. However, this event inspired Ferdinand and Isabella to establish this Franciscan monastery. It’s worth noting that nearly all Christian orders have had a presence here, including Jesuit churches and the Knights Templar. This region is almost considered the holy capital of Spain.

The monastery is a charming two-story building that looks stunning, especially in sunlight. The stone carvings are incredible. According to sources, this is the famous flamboyant Gothic style. Some experts say this style is Isabelino because it combines European Gothic elements with features of Moorish and Mudéjar styles. I’m not an expert, so I can’t confirm which interpretation is correct. Let’s agree that both sides have valid points.

The main cathedral, designed in the shape of a Latin cross, is magnificent. You can access the balcony or the royal tribune. Kings used to come here to pray and sat at a higher level than the public. One more intriguing detail: The cathedral’s façades are decorated with chains symbolizing Spaniards freed from Moorish captivity. That’s quite fascinating. There’s also a viewing terrace, which is a nice touch. Overall it’s a delightful place. But that’s enough religious architecture for today.

If you're more enthusiastic about discovering tourist spots, here's a tip: consider getting a tourist ticket or tourist bracelet. It grants you access to multiple attractions, though not all, so be sure to check the list of included places. If you plan to visit more than three locations, it’s a smart choice. For me three were enough, so I didn’t get one.

I returned to the mighty Tagus Rive or rather, to one of its historic bridges. This bridge is called the San Martin Bridge. The other located near the San Servando Castle, is the Alcántara Bridge. Built in the 13th century, it features towers on both ends. According to sources, the height of the central arch is 40 meters. From here, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Toledo’s historic quarter and the canyon. This bridge is a must-see. And if these views aren’t enough, there’s a zipline here. People whiz across the bridge so quickly they might forget to admire it.

As we near the end of our Toledo tour, I must highlight one significant feature: the city walls. They are almost fully preserved and incredibly impressive. In some areas, you’ll find towers, fortifications and arrow slits. However, the gates are the true jewels of these walls, standing as architectural masterpieces. For example, the Cambron Gate and the Bisagra Gate are stunning and uniquely captivating.

I hope exploring Toledo with me has been an enjoyable experience for you. If you’re planning a visit, I recommend going during the off-season. Tourists are always abundant here, but in the summer both the crowds and prices spike significantly. And summer temperatures can get quite high, so keep that in mind when planning. Toledo is perfect for a day trip from Madrid. You can get here in under an hour by train (the fastest option). Taking a bus is the cheapest way, while driving offers the most freedom. Parking spaces are also available in the city center.

With these final tips, I’ll wrap up my post here. See you on the next journey.