Toledo by SirRichard
If you have enough time, keep a whole day to visit Toledo. This old town, 1 hour away from Madrid is exceptionally well conserved. Walking by its streets takes you to the XVIth century. You can wander the same charming cobbled streets and visit the ancient shrines that once hosted leading scientists, philosophers, poets, and artists. Sadly, many were Jews who were forced into exile in the late 1400s. But it was Toledo's atmosphere of antiquity and mystery that attracted the painter El Greco, who made his name here -- along with some of the nation's finest metal workers, who still produce world-famous swords.-------------
Some History:
The city fell to the Romans about 193 BC and was named Toletum. From about AD 534 to 712, Toledo was the capital of the Visigothic kingdom in Spain and because a great ecclesiastical center. After its conquest (712) by the Moors, the city became an important Moorish center and in the 11th century the capital of a short-lived Moorish kingdom (1035-85). In 1085, after a memorable siege, the city was captured by the forces of Castile and annexed to the Castilian realms, of which it was made the capital (1087-1560). From July to September 1936, during the Spanish Civil War, rebel forces in the Alcazar were besieged for 70 days by Loyalist, or Republican, forces.See transports to Toledo at my "Transportation" section.
