Spain's Toledo, the city of three cultures

The best view of Spain’s ancient capital Toledo is from Mirador del Valle—a lookout point to the south of the city that gives you a perspective of the monumental city. Perched on a hill top and nestled in a bend of the Tajo (Tagus) river, the old Toledo gleams gold. The church spires and bell towers soar above the town’s terracotta roofs forming a maze of cobbled streets visible even from a distance.

The 2,000-year-old Spanish town was ruled by the Romans, the Visigoths, the Arabs, and Castilian Christians. It was the capital of Spain twice in its history—once in the sixth century as the capital of the Spanish Visigothic Kingdom and later in the 16th century as the capital of the Spanish empire under King Carlos V.

Called the ‘City of Three Cultures’ in the Middle Ages when Christians, Muslims, and Jews all co-existed (somewhat) peacefully, Toledo’s varied cultural influence still shows in its architecture, culture, and food. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986, it represents Spanish culture more accurately than any other city.

The primatial Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo has been a place of worship since the sixth century when a church stood on the spot, later replaced by the city’s main mosque during Muslim rule, which was later destroyed in the 13th century to build the Cathedral.

The cathedral stands as an impressive symbol of medieval High Gothic architecture, complete with flying buttresses, ribbed vaults, pointed arches, and rose windows. It holds some of the oldest treasures like the 16th-century gold-and-silver monstrance—which is paraded on the streets on the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Don’t miss visiting the church’s sacristy—a long gallery adorned with paintings with timeless classics from El Greco, Caravaggio, Titian, Raphael, and Velázquez. El Greco, the Spanish Renaissance painter, was Toledo’s most famous resident and the city houses a museum dedicated to him. The city is home to many ancient churches, but if you have time for just one more, visit the Monasterio San Juan de los Reyes.

This 15th-century Franciscan monastery and church stands in the heart of the Jewish Quarter and features Gothic and Mudejar architecture, a two-level cloister, and lush gardens.

The beautiful Jewish Quarter still preserves history. Of the many ancient synagogues that once stood here, only two survive—Synagogue of el Tránsito and Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca (formerly the Synagogue of Ibn Shushan; it is considered to be the oldest synagogue building still standing in Europe). Both were converted to churches after the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492, and are now museums.

To round-off the religious trinity, visit the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, which dates to AD 999 and stands intact even today; it’s a small, square building but it showcases intricate Islamic architecture and beautiful brickwork. The 16th-century Alcázar (fortress) is another attraction which houses the city’s Army Museum.

As you wander around Toledo, you will see several shops selling damasquinados, or damascene handicrafts and jewellery. The traditional Damascene craft is still practised in Toledo; it is of Moorish origin and involves inlaying gold or silver threads into black steel to create intricate patterns.

You can witness artists with sharp tools patiently carving these intricate patterns and inlaying the gold threads into the grooves with a hammer on the streets of Toledo. It’s a craft that requires patience, creativity, and a steady hand. The designs range from Arabesque (geometric) to Renaissance (with bird and floral motifs). Choose from damascene jewellery items like earrings, bracelets, and pendants, vases, and other handicrafts—the perfect souvenir to bring back home.