Toledo

Saturday:

Toledo is a magical city with history, wonderful regional food, and lovely environs. From Madrid,  the trip is about 30 minutes by train. An easy  ride without much complications.

One day before my return to Kansas, I decided to spend part of Saturday in Toledo. The trip would be a welcomed change from the hectic, modern, dizzy  urban space of Madrid. One week in Madrid's metropolitan cityscape can get to you, especially if you are not accustomed to la "vida madrileña".

Toledo is different. It remains a medieval city stuck in modernity. Its narrow, winding streets, numerous steps, and steep inclines challenges the visitor accustomed to straight and level spaces. Toledo also bears the marks of many of the communities that have shaped Iberia: Roman, Visigothic, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim. This admixture makes Toledo a unique repository of culture and history.

Bell Tower

From almost every point in the city, one can see the cathedral, built in medieval times on the site of the former main mosque of the city. The bell tower looms above declaring the dominance of Christianity. Narrow streets around the Cathedral wind up and down, often leading to dead ends.

My first stop was the Tourist Office to pick up a map and get reoriented for the day' trek. With camera in hand, I headed through the streets, at first wandering, then with an organized purpose: first, a tour of the Mezquita de Bab al-Mardum, then, Santiago del Arrabal, a walk to San Juan de los Reyes, and a visit to the Sinagoga del Tránsito.


Although I dedicated the day to museum visits and tours of cultural sites, I also had time to find tapas in my favorite eateries near the Plaza de Zocodover, the main square of Toledo.  "Feed the mind and nourish the body," my father always said.

And of course I admired the landscape that surrounds this magical city. The Río Tajo runs around the city, creating an unmistakable landscape. There are many overlooks where you can see the surrounding valley. Of course, I took tons of pictures!

El Alcázar de Toledo

As the day came to an end, I walked to the train station with eagerness to return to Madrid. Tired, overwhelmed by the cultural experiences of the day, I looked up and saw the moon. Lovely, luminous, it hovered over the train station tower. It was a memorable conclusion to an incredible day.

And in less that a day I would be in Lawrence!