Toledo, passeio de balão

Toledo flourished in the medieval era during the peaceful coexistence of Christians, Muslims and Jews. This fact has left behind a dignified and slightly mystical walled city. Toledo’s monuments crowd together in a dizzying anarchy of periods and styles, held together in a medieval matrix of sagging houses, churches, synagogues, and mosques. The city that El Greco portrayed in a few of his rare landscapes has changed little over the years. Surrounded by Rio Tajo, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of Spain’s most visited cities. Artifacts of Christian, Muslim and Jewish origin continue to complement one another in this city, often within the same building. The cathedral is a complex banquet of architectural and artistic styles. Two synagogues, Sinagoga del Tránsito and Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca, and a museum, the Museo Sefardi, are all that remain of what was once the largest Jewish community in Spain. Reminders of the Muslim presence are visible near the Puerta del Sol a 14th century Mudéjar gate and the 10th century mosque, Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz. The legends and traditions of Toledo seem to come alive at sunset. Visitors can explore the city’s mysterious medieval atmosphere walking through its narrow streets in one of the many night tours organized throughout the city. It is a fascinating experience that will transport travellers to another era.