Toledo - The Heart and Cultural Treasure of Medieval Spain

One of the most popular destinations I visited in Spain was the medieval city of Toledo, the cradle of Spanish civilization and culture and also the first capital of the kingdom. If you want to experience a true medieval atmosphere and take a journey through time, I can say that this city is the right place.

If you're traveling to Toledo from Madrid, forget about driving. Traveling by car is not only longer but also offers little in terms of scenic views. Instead, you can reach Toledo in just half an hour for 14 Euros by taking the high-speed train from Atocha train station. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, you can also take a bus from Plaza Elíptica bus station.

Toledo's history dates back a long way. The ancient Greeks were the first to reach this area, followed by the Romans who brought civilization elements like baths, circuses and trade relations. However, the Romans couldn't stay long because the Visigoths from the north defeated them and made Toledo the capital of their southern lands in the 6th century. Later the Arabs or Muslims, took control of the city. From this point on, Toledo became known as a city where Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures coexisted. Understanding how these three cultures once lived together and seeing the diversity of Toledo today, with different nations coming together, is relly impressive.

In my opinion, the reason Toledo became a cultural melting pot is that the Moors not only spread their religion and language here but also practiced diplomacy. As a result, the Silk Road starting from China, extended all the way to the Iberian Peninsula and, of course, Toledo.

The Moors are also known as great architects. They were the ones who gave Toledo its unique appearance today. For example, they built the Alcázar de Toledo or Toledo Castle. This castle served as the main administrative building for the region for nearly eight centuries. Today, it operates as a military museum. But don't worry, it's far from boring. The city's history is presented through interactive maps and you can see figures representing all the people who once lived here. Additionally, from the castle's terrace, there is a stunning view of the opposite bank of Toledo and the Tagus River.

Toledo is captivating not only when walking through its streets but also when looking at its view from above. During this visit, I climbed to the best viewpoint in the city.

As Spain’s first capital, Toledo is famous for its military museum, high-quality knives and marzipan sweets. Also, in my opinion, it has the best coffee I've ever tasted in Spain. The baristas personally select the finest coffee beans, grind them and prepare perfect coffees with different types of milk and syrups. At one café we visited, a barista also shared the secret to making great coffee at home: It all comes down to freshly ground coffee. You should grind the beans yourself at home and brew them with hot water. This way, the coffee is prepared faster and has a richer aroma.

Speaking of marzipan, here's an interesting story for you. It is said that marzipan came to Toledo thanks to the Moors. During one of the last battles for the city, the Iberians were fighting against the Arabs and, likely anticipating defeat, stored their basic necessities like food and water in the main cathedral. During the siege, when the people ran out of food and were on the brink of starvation, the nuns working in the cathedral remembered they had sugar and almonds. They ground and combined these ingredients to create marzipan. When you visit Toledo, you must try the local baristas coffee and the marzipan made by the nuns.

In medieval Spain, not only marzipan and the Inquisition but also magnificent painting art flourished. For example, Toledo is home to the famous painter El Greco's house-museum. This artist, whose real name was Doménikos Theotokópoulos, was born in Crete, studied in Italy and eventually gained worldwide fame in Toledo. In Italy, El Greco was exiled for criticizing Michelangelo’s works and he could never return to his homeland. He settled in Spain and in 1561, he moved to Madrid, the new capital of Spain. This meant a lot of work for a court painter. El Greco was an ambitious man who only dreamed of working at the royal court and would accept nothing less. Unfortunately, King Philip II refused to give him a position at the court. However, he appreciated his talent and directed him to Toledo, the former capital. Here, all doors opened for the artist and he was gifted a large house in the Jewish Quarter. The people of Toledo loved him and embraced him everywhere.

It is said that the dark atmosphere in El Greco's works reflects the broken heart of King Philip II, as El Greco never achieved his dream of becoming the court painter. As my mother always said: "It’s up to you to think and decide." However, today El Greco’s house-museum is one of the must-see places in Toledo.

One of the most impressive features of Spain, for me, is how the people of this country have carefully preserved everything history has left to them and adapted it to modern life. Toledo is the brightest example of this. Buildings from the 14th century still stand here, people live in them, they are rented, bought and unique businesses are opened within them. And no one wants to move into new buildings from this historic city. I can understand them because where else can you find so much inspiration, creativity and joy of life?

Thanks for reading. I will continue to share more about this beautiful country that I admire.