“A castle stands sentinel across the stream; harsh grey hills are all about: the setting of Toledo is all abrasion, nothing soft, nothing hospitable, nothing amusing. This is the Spanish character at its most intractable” – Jan Morris – ‘Spain’
Toledo has always been one of the most important cities in Spain and for many years actually contested the status of capital with nearby Madrid and was in fact the principal city until 1560. But Madrid gradually came to prominence under the Hapsburg Monarchy and Phillip II moved his court there and made it his Capital in 1561.
Toledo compensated for this by reinventing itself as the principal religious city in the country and today remains the seat of the Primate of all Spain.
At the end of the climb from the car park we entered the city at the busy main square, the Plaza Zocodover, which was surrounded by tall imperial buildings and confusing little streets leaking away in all directions. Without a map we were rather confused and disoriented because this was easily the biggest place we had visited so far. It was hot and claustrophobic and it felt tense and a little bit edgy but with a distinctly vibrant buzz.
Toledo is so well-preserved and packed with cultural wonder that the entire city has been declared a national monument. It’s an ideal place to savour the delights of Spain: cultural, historic and tasty. There are no modern buildings here.
After a while we established our bearings and walked to the Alcázar, which was closed for improvements into a planned new museum but being at the top of the city did have spectacular views over the river and the lands stretched out to the south. We were still unsure of our location and after an aborted refreshment stop at a bar with a broken loo and unacceptably loud music we threaded our way into the maze of narrow streets and walking in the general direction of the Cathedral.
It was time to stop for refreshment and we spotted tables and activity in a large courtyard and chose, rather carelessly it turned out, a table in the sunshine. The waiter looked like the actor Victor Mature and he immediately approached and provided us with menus and then hung about to hurry an order. It was quite expensive so we explained that we would just have a drink and this seemed to displease him greatly. We were served the beers but he was most unfriendly and made us feel quite unwelcome and awkward so we drank it quickly and left.
Next door there was a friendly little tapas bar so we slipped in there instead and had an assortment of tasty dishes and a second beer. The unfriendly expensive place had about half a dozen staff and no customers and this place was full to overflowing with just one, rushed off his feet, waiter and there was a message in there somewhere.
After lunch we walked to the Cathedral and paid the entrance fee of €7, which turned out to be excellent value compared to the €2 to get into the church in Belmonte. It is one of the biggest cathedrals in the world and the interior is not at all austere as some cathedrals can be.
I hate it when people get something for nothing – like those garden make over programmes on TV for example so it was rather annoying was the fact that for those who didn’t want to pay the admission charge they could enter by a side door and although they couldn’t walk around freely and see all of the internal rooms and the especially impressive choir area, they could certainly see and appreciate the magnificent structure for free.
Outside the Cathedral we found a tourist information office and now we had a map the city was suddenly much easier to negotiate. In the past Toledo had changed hands many times and it was renowned for its diversity and religious toleration and we visited a synagogue with, unusually for a synagogue, free admission and then after walking through a warren of mazy streets came out on the other side overlooking the modern town to the north.
Every available square metre of this rocky outcrop has been built upon and the buildings are heaped together in a random and haphazard way with cobbled lanes revealing new and unexpected delights at every twist and turn. We negotiated the narrow confusing streets and the surprises back towards the Plaza Zocodover and as we did so passed through an area of artisans workshops where metal workers were making swords and knives and displaying them in the windows.
Traditionally Toledo is famous for its production of steel and especially of swords and the city is still a centre for the manufacture of knives and other steel implements. For soldiers and adventurers in past times a sword made of Toledo steel was a must have item because the quality of the steel and the skill of the blacksmiths combined to make an exceptionally strong and perfect lethal weapon.
In literature and film the Three Musketeers had Toledo steel swords and so did my most favourite swordsman of all – Don Diego de la Vega who was more famously known as Zorro.
The manufacturing process was a carefully guarded secret. To make such an exceptional weapon the craftsman had to select the very best raw materials and then follow a complicated technical process to achieve the perfect balance between hard and soft steel forged at a volcanic temperature of 1454º Fahrenheit for exactly the right length of time and then followed by a critical cooling and shaping process which couldn’t be rushed.
So complicated was this whole procedure and so perfect was the finished weapon that to achieve this level of precision a master craftsman would typically only be able to make two or three blades in a year.
Little wonder then that they were so expensive!
Well I learn something every time I visit Andrew. Toledo steel swords you say. I shall remember that the next time I’m in the market for one. 🙂
I must say that during our time in Spain we did run into some rather less than enthused waiters. Not my style that’s for sure. Always says a lot when a crowd is gathered at one establishment and another sitting pretty much empty.
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The big problem with buying a Toledo steel sword is how to get it home in your hand luggage!
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Yes that may be a bit of an issue!
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A wonderful place, loved your article and photos. I am now in Segovia in your recommended hotel. Brilliant tip, thanks.
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Hope you enjoy Segovia. Quite magnificent in my opinion!
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If you have time might I recommend leaving the city (on foot) by the northern Puerta de San Cebrián and follow a small road past the Santa Cruz monastery and the City bullring to the nearby village of San Lorenzo. It is quite traditional and charming and a contrast to the old town of Segovia.
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Sounds good – how far or how long would that be?
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30 minute walk under the walls of the old town. Just a gentle stroll!
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That alcazar reminds me of the castle in Bratislava!
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Yes, a very similar design. Have you made your mind up yet about your itinerary?
I am flying to Malaga in two weeks time and making a first visit to the Alhambra in Granada. Have you been there?
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Just got flights to Madrid so far, will decide over weekend.
Enjoy Granada – I’ve not been but it looks fantastic. Look forward to reading your thoughts…
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Will you hire a car? Drive to Chinchon and stay south of the city, what a place that is, and you can easily get a bus into the centre.
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Nope, just the train for me (Toledo is only 33 minutes from Madrid on high speed train).
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You need to factor in that the train stations are some way out of town!
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My son, a big sword aficionado, and I loved Toledo. As always, I enjoy your informative travel and historical information on Spain. I am saving them as references for when I travel to the many interesting places from my new Spanish home. Thanks.
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Thanks Dawn. Where in Spain will you be?
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Did you look at the price of a sword? In “Kill Bill” they mentioned half a million dollars for a samurai sword made by a top swordsmith. I agree with you on Zorro but I would like to see him fight Errol Flynn/Robin Hood.
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What a contest that would be. My head says Zorro, my heart says Robin!
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Noticed that you are visiting the Alhambra next week. I am sure you know that it’s almost essential to book a ticket and a time in advance, otherwise you may have to queue nearly all day, or even be turned away. While in Granada, don’t forget to slip over to the Albacain quarter – you can see it from the castle. There will still be snow on the Sierra so we can expect some great photos from you, I’m sure.
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I have my tickets already booked. Someone tipped me off. Without that advice I would have been disappointed. I had no idea!
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Yes, got to have tickets for the Alhambra in advance, Andrew. I’m quite excited for you. 🙂
The quote at the top seems quite appropriate. It’s a city I’ve always fancied, but ‘Lady of the Cakes’ (do you know her? Linguist, based in the city) doesn’t appear to have enjoyed working there much. Of course, work and play are 2 very different things. 🙂 You are mean- fancy begrudging them folks who slipped in the back way. That could’ve been me. 🙂
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I am not staying in Granada but a few miles west in Romilla. I prefer the smaller provincial towns because they are always cheaper!
Getting the tickets was not easy, a lot of our preferred dates were already sold out. At least I can be confident that no one can get in for nothing!
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What time slot have you booked?
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Morning in the site and midday in the Palace. The only English speaking tour that I could get!
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Popular place, but you will see why. 🙂 And you can always retreat …
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… to a bar!
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Wonderful place! Thanks for taking me there. Bye. Kamila
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and thank you!
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