Routes

Following the course of the Tajo River, the imposing profile of the City of Three Cultures arises before the eyes of the traveler, the “Imperial and Crowned” City, the Roman, Visigoth, Muslim and Christian Capital, the City of Greco, the City of All. The Tajo River embraces and surrounds the city. Toledo, World Heritage Site, majestically rises with pride in its history and example. Losing oneself through the narrow and cobble-stoned streets of its ancient quarter takes the traveler back in time, to a time when the city was home to Arab, Jewish and Christian cultures during more than three centuries.

The importance of Toledo throughout its history is proven by the fact that it was the capital of the Visigoth Kingdom and See of the Christian Church. Arab domination turned the city into an example of coexistence, representing a period of tremendous cultural wealth that has left behind an incomparable legacy. In very few corners of the world is it possible to admire Muslim plasterwork, Gothic vaults, Renaissance palaces or Hebrew inscriptions in the synagogues by merely strolling through the streets. We must not forget that culture is responsible for uniting that which war and the thirst for power of the governors and armies had set asunder, impregnating the city and its dwellers with the spirit of coexistence and respect that has made it universal.

The inheritance of thousands of years of humanity awaits us by merely crossing the numerous gates of the ancient Roman walls and entering the museum-city: the Cathedral, the Fortress, the Synagogue of the Transit, the Mosque of the Christ of the Light...

However, the grandiosity of Toledo must not overshadow the jewels hidden in nearby locations, which also draw the attention of the cultivated traveler. At a distance of just a few minutes Bargas is to be found, where dozens of archeological sites have appeared, the same containing a diversity of prehistoric remains from the latter Imperial Roman times, Visigoth period, Medieval Christian period and Califal, Taifa and Mudejar Kingdoms.

A bit further north we find Torrijos, important regional center, which was the residence of the Kings of Castile during the 14th century and currently boasts its magnificent Sacred Sacrament Collegiate Church and Don Pedro I’s Palace. Land of castles, vestiges of these fortifications still remain, as is the case with the Alamín Castle found in Santa Cruz del Retamar. Also very close to the Toledo capital, 24 kilometers to the south, the city of Sonseca arises, vital and entrepreneur city that has sweetened half the world with its marzipan industry.

Visiting, apart from all the monuments of Toledo, El Greco’s Home and his grand work The Burial of Count of Orgaz found in the Santo Tomé Church and very close on hand the archeological sites of Bargas and the Sacred Sacrament Collegiate Church of Torrijos.

Trying the many recipes that combine Moorish and Christian influences, such as the cochifrito (deepfried suckling pig), partridge stewed with white beans and the well-known, tortilla a la magra (Lean Meat Omelet). And all of this in the company of a fine wine, without of course forgetting the famous Toledo marzipan, the Christmas sweets from Sonseca and the fresh-baked artisan bread of Bargas.