Europe - Spain, Toledo - A Melting Pot of Cultures - September 2018

Today is Sunday, September 23, 2018, we are touring Toledo, a city of three cultures. Christian, Muslim, and Jewish 

According to Wikipedia, “Toledo was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage as one of the former capitals of the Spanish Empire and place of coexistence of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim cultures, as well as the place where harsh religious persecutions were held against the Jews by the Visigoths.”

Toledo is an ancient city set on a hill above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain.

The Tagus River runs through it

The  Alcántara is a Roman arch bridge in Toledo, Spain, spanning the Tagus River.

Entering the Old Jewish Quarter

The borders of its Jewish Quarter are marked with blue and white tiles with a menorah and other symbols among the cobblestones.

The narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter

The major highlight of the Jewish Quarter for me was the synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca

Photo provided by Wikipedia

White archways with decorative stone.

Beautiful Moorish architecture

Elaborate tile floors

Decorative columns

The synagogue had a very peaceful feeling,

We left the Jewish Quarter and visited the Toledo Cathedral, a Roman Catholic Church, the building began in 1227, completed in 1493.

The cathedral of Toledo is built in 13th Century high gothic style.

The narrow streets of Toledo

The retable of the Cathedral of Toledo is an extremely florid Gothic altarpiece; it is one of the last examples of this artistic style, which was disappearing as the Renaissance began to take hold in Spain. (Wikipedia)

St. Tomi Church - This church houses El Greco's masterpiece, the original painting of the Burial of Count Orgaz, one of El Greco's crowning achievements

The Entrance to the viewing of El Greco's masterpiece

El Greco, Burial of the Count Orgaz (1586-1588)

When in Toledo, spend some time and walk around - there's so much to see

Local craftsman, working on an armor piece

This is the Don Quixote region of Spain

Toledo swords and knife shop

Colorful mosaic tiles

We are ending here at the Alcantara Bridge on the Tagus River

We had an interesting and unexpected day here in Toledo.  If you have an interest in Moorish architecture, beautiful paintings this is a lovely place to visit.