CnC Living Travel Log: Spanish Architecture, swords, and 24k gold jewelry - a walking tour of Toledo, Spain

Another travel report, but this time there is also a surprise at the end!

We departed Madrid from Atocha station, which is a gorgeous space filled with sweeping palm trees in the center.

You can buy tickets at the station or online, but get there early because they won't allow you to board 10 minutes prior to departure.  Sigh, yes we did end up sitting around for 2 hours and buying tickets for the next train.  But it was a good chance to read and snack on our sandwiches.

Toledo is a short 30 minute ride from Madrid and perfect for a day trip.  This lovely city was Spain's capital until the 16th century.  Its buildings represent almost all the different stages of Spanish art from Moorish to Gothic to Renaissance.

We pulled into the Toledo train station which is also gorgeous and made our way into town with the help of a really basic map (we did end up buying a more detailed one in town later because there are so many small streets!) and la policia.

 

The train station is about a 15 minute walk from the Alcazar fort.  This was originally a Roman fort that was later used by the Moors and most recently by Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War.  It also contains a Spanish military museum and a Museum of Knives and Swords.

 

From there, ascend the fort via the stairs or escalators to the main part of town (of course we didn't find the escalators until after we climbed the stairs, they are towards the right side of the castle).  Mr. Gadget was not amused by the number of stairs.

From Alcazar, it is a short way to Plaza Zocodover - a good place to take a break on your way to other sites and a short walk from some sweet treat shops.

 

We headed to the main Cathedral - built from 1221 - 1732!  It is in the Gothic style and requires a 7 Euro fee to enter the Sacristy.  The Sacristy houses quite a few highlights including an art gallery with El Greco's "Denuding of Christ", a Baroque alterpiece, and alabaster figures from the Old Testament.  Breathtaking (this was near the ceiling).

If you want to shop for something, Toledo is known for two things: swords and 24k gold damasquino jewelry or plates.  Toledo specializes in making medieval, historical, and replica swords.

 

In addition, they are known for damasquino work, the art of decorating non-precious metals with gold - you see this mostly with plates and jewelry.  It was used in the Middle Ages and originates from artisan work done in Damascus, Syria.  Cuts are used to create patterns - the patterns are either Arabesque (more geometric) or Renaissance.  Then these patterns are filled with 24k gold.  Each piece undergoes oxidation providing a black background with the gold pattern.

 

So I picked up a few pairs of earrings and am giving one pair away!  I thought it would be a nice way for you to know Toledo as well.  Details will be coming in a post later today!