Toledo, Spain

Monday April 8 Toledo

Toledo

Today we are off to the the famous city of Toledo which dates back to Roman times and was the location of coexistence of Christian, Jewish and Muslim culture for hundred of years and in 1492 Muslims and Jews were compelled to convert to Christianity or flee; a grievous tragedy in this city of many faiths. 

Inside Santa Maria La Blanca Synagogue 

The walled city is naturally fortified with the Tagus River surrounding three sides. It has very narrow and hilly cobblestone streets. We do a drive around the city of 80,000 to get an orientation. We then visit Santa Maria La Blanca Synagogue which was constructed in a muslim style and has also been a christian church during its history. We are then off to the cathedral the fourth largest in size and historically important due to the power that bishops of the cathedral have historically held. We then head to the main square, Zocodover where there are many shops and restaurants. We have some lunch before heading back to Madrid.

Zocodover 

We decompress with a walk through the Real Jardin Botanico, botanical garden which is a quiet escape from the pace and noise of the city. It was founded on October 17, 1755, by King Ferdinand VI, and installed in the Orchard of Migas Calientes, near what today is called Puerta de Hierro, on the banks of the Manzanares River. It contains more than 2,000 plants collected by José Quer y Martínez, botanist and surgeon.