Weekend in Toledo, Spain, February 17-20, 2012

On Friday afternoon, I met Pat at Sants Estacio, in downtown. Barcelona to take the AVE high-speed train to Madrid then on to Toledo, arriving in the early evening. Being on the AVE is similar to traveling by plane, complete with reclining seats and tray tables, a movie overhead and attendants serving refreshments and "merienda" (afternoon tea). We flew through the countryside at a mere 290-300 kph!

In Toledo, we stayed at the quaint Hostal Casa de Cisneros, across from the Cathedral. It was built on the site of an 11th century Islamic palace, parts of which can be seen through plexiglass in the lobby. The current building dates from the 16th century, with stone and wood-beamed rooms. Ours was the last available and probably the tiniest!

The Cathedral opposite our hotel:




Narrow old streets in the walled city:













View of the River Tajo from a park in the old town:




The Jewish Quarter of Toledo:









Inside the Sinagoga de Santa Maria La Blanca:












The Franciscan Monastery and Church of San Juan de Los Reyes, founded by Isabel and Fernando to demonstrate the supremacy of the Catholic faith in Spain:



Known for it's two-storey cloister...check out the prolific orange tree!
















One of the ancient city gates from inside the wall...





And outside...




Joining two buildings, reminiscent of Venice or Florence:





Any relation to my NB friends, Kathy and Norm? We saw this family name quite a lot in Toldeo.



We enjoyed lunch at Kumera then continued our walking tour.
From the tallest point in the city, this is the view from the towers of the Iglesias de Los Jesuítas, an 18th century church:











And inside this same Church:











One more city gate:










Saturday night dinner was at the restaurant La Abadia, set in a former 16th century palace.

Hasta luego...

Location:Castilla-La Mancha Region