Spain within itself holds lot history, colabrating many different cultures. After my visit i managed to do bit of research about this location, which i have explained below.
In the centre of the Iberian Peninsula, lies a granite hill surround on three sides by the Tagus River. Over the centuries the river has carved out cliffs that protect the hills flanks. On this strategic outcrop arose Toledo, a city that has become synonymous with Spain and its culture. Today, the narrow, winding streets of old Toledo transport the visitor back to the Middle Ages. The city gates, castles and bridges all maintain their medieval flavour and bear silent witness to the days when Toledo was one of the most important cities of Europe. Toledo, however, is not a typical European city. Even the railway station has an oriental air. A closer look at Toledo’s monuments and crafts reveals a city that has absorbed the skills of several civilizations that flourished here over the centuries. During the golden age of Toledo, some 700 years ago, the city truly became a melting pot of medieval cultures.
~Varied Cultures~
Before
the Romans came to Spain, Celtic and Iberian peoples had already built a town at this strategic location. The Romans renamed it Toletum (from tollitum, meaning “raised aloft”) and made it one of their provincial capitals. Roman historian Livy described Toledo as “a small city, but fortified by location”. When the Visigoths conquered Spain after the fall of the Roman Empire, they chose Toledo to be their capital. It was here in the sixth century that King Reccared rejected Arianism, a step that paved the way for Spain to become a centre of orthodox Catholicism and Toledo the seat of its foremost archbishop.
The religious panorama changed when Toledo became a part of the Muslim caliphate. The narrow streets of the old city date from this period, which lasted from the 8th century to the 11th century. Muslim tolerance permitted the co-existence of Christian, Jewish and Moorish cultures in Toledo. Finally, in 1085, King Alfonso VI (a Catholic king) conquered the city. Despite the change of rulership, these cultures continued to exist together for several centuries. But many of Toledo’s most impressive monuments date from the medieval period. Catholic rulers converted the city into their capital, Jewish citizens employed their skills in crafts and commerce, and Muslim artisans contributed their talents in architecture. Scholars of the three different creeds worked together in the School of Translator. During the 12th and 13th centuries, they translated a great number of works of antiquity into Latin and Spanish. The vast scientific store of Arabic civilization likewise became available to the West thanks to these translators. Religious tolerance came to an end during the 14th century when thousands of Jewish citizens perished in religious pogroms. By the time Columbus discovered America, the Spanish Inquisition had set up a tribunal in Toledo and both Jews and Muslims had to choose between forcible conversion and exile.
~Monuments to Past Glory~
Today the city centre Toledo is home to over a hundred monuments. That historic wealth led the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to declare it a World Heritage City. Two of the most impressive medieval structures are the bridges that span the Tagus River, one providing access to the city from the east and the other from the west. And few visitors will fail to see the massive gate Puerta Nueva de Bisagra, which guards access to the old walled city. From a distance, two beautiful monuments dominate the skyline of Toledo. A massive square fortress called the Alca’zar lies to the east.
Over the centuries it has been a Roman praetorian (governors residence), a palace for Visigoth monarchs, an Arabic fortress and a residence of Spanish Kings. It now houses the Army Museum and an extensive library. But since Toledo is above all a religious city, it is the huge Gothic cathedral that dominates the city centre.
FACTS; THE THREE CULTURES OF TOLEDO
During the middle ages, Toledo was divided into t here different quarters, where Catholics, Jews and Muslims lived according to their own laws and customs. Some if their ancient places of worship have now become principaltourist attractions.
A tenth century mosque, now known Cristo de la Luz illustrates the brickwork artistry of Muslim craftsmen. It stands in the medina area of the city, where the wealthy Muslims used to live.
Thought later transformed into Catholic churches, two medieval synagogues remain, testifying to Toledo’s large Jewish community, which at one time constituted a third of the city’s population. Santa Maria La Blanca is the oldest and its interior, like the mosque above, has ornate multiple columns. A more spacious synagogue, El Transito, now houses a Sephardic museum of Jewish culture.
Now construction of Spain’s largest gothic cathedral began in the 13th century and took over 200 years to complete!
~Monuments to Past Glory (Continued)~
The cathedral and other churches in Toledo boast paintings by a famous artist who settled in Toledo. He is known as El Greco, meaning “The Greek”. His full name was Domenikos Theotokopoulos. In the area where he lived in the old Jewish quarter, there is now a museum containing a number of his paintings. Perhaps Toledo appears most majestic when viewed from the hills that overlook the city from the south. However, the charm of Toledo can best be savoured by wandering through its narrow streets. The visitor may temporarily get lost (well I did!), but he will soon find himself fascinated by the quaint passageways, ancient buildings, ornate balconies and tempting souvenir shops.
Although this ancient city seems timeless, the tourist must eventually bid farewell to Toledo. The best place to do so is on the southern bank of the Tagus River. As the day draws to a close, the setting sun casts a warm glow over the city, whose proud monuments seem to reflect once more its golden age.
~Special Swords and Sweet Marzipan~
For over two thousand years, the city’s blacksmiths have made swords and the name Toledo has become synonymous with fine steel. Both Hannibal’s armies and Roman Legions used these swords, forged alongside the Tagus river, Centuries later, Muslim craftsmen introduced damascene engraving to embellish their Toledan swords and armour. Most of the city’s souvenir shops have a ample selection of swords, along with the inevitable suit of armour. Apart from serving as collectors items, these swords are likely to be seen in a movie, not on a battlefield.
Another tradition in Toledo is the production of marzipan, whose origin dates back to the Arabic conquest of the city. Spain already had extensive fields of almonds when the Muslims arrived, but sugar-the other essential ingredient- was missing. Within 50 years of the Muslim conquest, fields of sugarcane sprang up in southern Spain. By the 11th century, marzipan had become a speciality of Toledo, and it has the delight of connoisseurs ever since. Entire shops in Toledo are now devoted to marzipan, which is often made into small figurines. No visit to Toledo would be complete without those mouth watering morsels.
Never been to Spain but this sounds lovely, very helpful
octavio.teixeira 31.05.2007 19:56
Another detailed and interesting review, well done.
torr 31.05.2007 11:55
Good bit of historical perspective there. I regret to say it's a corner of Spain to which I've not been, but my appetite is whetted by your review. Duncan
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