Perched above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, aka the “City of the Three Cultures,” is renowned for its Islamic, Jewish and Christian influences. This legacy is still on display today in the streets of Spain’s former capital before Madrid and its venerated mosques, synagogues and churches.
Region: Spain
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In a city steeped in rich culture and stunning architectural landmarks, the Eugenia de Montijo, Autograph Collection hotel is located at the former palace of the Empress Eugenia de Montijo.
Toledo is home to one of the country’s best-preserved old towns, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Alcázar of Toledo, an imposing Moorish fortress located on one of the city’s highest points. Other must-see sights in Toledo include the El Greco Museum, which exhibits a plethora of paintings by the Spanish Renaissance artist who once called Toledo home; Mezquita Cristo de la Luz, a former mosque that is now a Catholic church; Catedral Primada, a majestic medieval Gothic cathedral that is considered one of the top 10 in Spain; Sinagoga del Tránsito, where you will find the Sephardic Museum; and Plaza de Zocodover, the city’s main square that connects many of its top attractions.
Beautifully located on a hill above the Tagus River, Toledo’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a treasure trove of top attractions. Here you will find the Alcázar of Toledo, a historic fortress that houses the city’s military museum; the Toledo Cathedral, aka Catedral Primada Santa Maria de Toledo, one of the finest examples of Spanish Gothic architecture; and Plaza de Zocodover, the heart of the city where both locals and visitors gather. Museo del Greco, located in Toledo’s Jewish Quarter, honors world-renowned artist El Greco, who lived for many years in Toledo, where he also died. El Greco Museum displays a number of the artist’s greatest works, such as “Vista y Plano de Toledo” and “Apostolados,” a series of 13 paintings depicting Christ and the 12 Apostles. Sinagoga del Tránsito, another must-see sight in the medieval Jewish Quarter, is a venerated synagogue built in 1357 and converted into a church in 1492. Today, it is home to the Sephardic Museum, which is dedicated to the history, culture and legacy of Toledo’s Jewish population. Mezquita Cristo de la Luz, or Mosque of Christ of the Light, is the best preserved of the 10 mosques once located in Toledo during the Moorish period. Built in 999 A.D., it became a church in the 12th century.