The Puente de San Martín, also known as San Martin’s Bridge, is a medieval bridge that crosses over the Tagus River just west of Toledo.  The bridge that is standing today was built in the 14th century and is characterized by five large arches across the bottom; however, the original bridge was built a century before.  The first bridge was destroyed in a battle between stepbrothers Don Pedro I and Don Enrique II. It is about 27 meters (roughly 88 feet) above the river and about 40 meters (131 feet) across.   

Although the bridge is architecturally stunning, the real attraction is the legend associated with it.   According to local stories, an engineer realized he had made a mistake in his calculations during the rebuilding process, and the arches could not support the weight of the bridge once the wooden scaffolding was removed.  Distraught, the man told his wife of his predicament.  His wife, who wanted him to avoid both punishment and shame, snuck out in a terrible storm to fix his problem.  She lit a fire underneath the scaffolding, causing it to burn away, and the bridge to collapse completely.  The next day, when the people of the town and the other engineers approached the bridge, they believed the storm had caused the fire that destroyed the scaffolding, and the bridge falling was just an accident.  The engineer who had made the mistake and his wife were never suspected of anything, and the collapsed bridge allowed the man to fix the problems with the original design.  

The bridge was made a historical site in 1921, both for its complex structure and its legendary significance.  Many tourists flock to the bridge to see its marvelous brickwork and to learn of the story of the engineer and his wife.  When in Toledo, or even Spain in general, the Puente de San Martín is definitely worth visiting. 

Located in the heart of Toledo, the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz is a must see while visiting Spain.  This historic site started as a Visigothic Church before it was rebuilt as a Moorish mosque known as the Mosque of Bab al-Mardum in 999 CE.  This mezquita, or mosque, was one of ten built in Toledo and is the only one still standing, making it one of the oldest artifacts in Spain itself.  In fact, an inscription written in Arabic made it possible to date.  This inscription also credits the architect and founder: Musa ibn ‘Ali and Ahamad ibn Hadidi, respectively. The building was used as a mosque until 1186, when it was converted back into a Christian Church by King Alfonso VIII.  It was then that the mosque was renamed to the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz, or The Mosque of Christ of the Light, as it is still known today.  

The mosque was named after a popular legend involving King Alfonso VI, who is said to have discovered the mosque while storming Toledo.  While riding his horse in front of the mezquita, it fell and kneeled in front of the door.  Through an opening, it is said that the King discovered a lit candle in front of a crucifix that had been long forgotten by the Moors.  Legend has it that the candle was lit before Moorish occupation, and stayed lighted the entire time Toledo was under Muslim rule.  It was regarded as a miracle, and led to the mosque being renamed with the Christ of the Light.  The crucifix that was found is not kept in the Santa Cruz Museum.   

The mosque is a beautiful architectural marvel that blends Visigothic and Moorish building styles. The architecture is mostly original, making it a rarity among other historical buildings across the globe. Characterized by intricate murals, detailed columns, and stunning arches, the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz is a popular tourist location when visiting Toledo. The building itself is square, with unique brickwork that causes it to stand out and catches the eye. Inside, the walls are lined with gorgeous paintings that depict Christian imagery.  Without a doubt, the Mezquita is one of the most alluring tourist locations in Spain, drawing many students, educators, and general tourists alike to its sacred grounds. 

Known as “Sephardic Jerusalem” Toledo has deep historical and cultural roots in the Jewish communities. Anyone learning about Jewish history or just curious about the complex religious relationships of Medieval Spain, Toledo is the city for you. Main attractions include 13th century synagogues, a Sephardic history museum, Jewish community centers, and tons of kosher Sephardic cuisines. 

Built in the 14th century, possibly on even older synagogue ruins, El Transito Synagogue has a deep and dark history in Spain. Soon after the synagogue was built in 1360 a wave of anti-Jewish massacres plagued the Jewish quarters. Once the Jews were expelled in 1492 it was converted into Iglesia de San Benito to help injured knights and a place to pray. During the 16th century alterations were made to make worship more accessible, as well as building a bell tower on the exterior. During the 18th century the building was converted to a monastery, then transitioning to barracks during the Napoleonic Wars, finally being reverted to a monastery. In 1877 the monastery was restored to a Synagogue and declared a national monument. After multiple restorations during the 20th century, it was converted to what we see today, the National Museum of Judeo-Spanish Art. A state institution under the control of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture.

Built during the 11th century this is arguably the oldest and most famous synagogue still standing in Spain if not Western Europe. After opinions towards Jewish citizens begin to waver and conversion is actively pushed on all non-Christians this Synagogue was transformed to a church, then monastery, then an armory and storage warehouse. Eventually the building would be dedicated as a national memorial site, but that was not until 1856. What is so unique is not the history or the number of renovations this site has gone through, but the art style. Built by the Mudéjar, it was infused with Islamic styles yet not used for Islamic purposes. The plain white interior walls along with the use of bricks and pillars instead of columns are not only abstract, but unheard of for a synagogue. On top of the abstract art and designs the overall layout of the Synagogue is unusual, built with a hypostyle room and without a women’s section. These characteristics are closer to a Mosque rather than a Synagogue. Engulfed with rich history and highly skilled architectural designs this place is not only a good representation of the Jewish community of Toledo, but an example of the convivencia lifestyle of Medieval Spain.

After a long day of museums and site seeing, I know you’ll be hungry. What’s not a better way of wrapping up your Jewish Spanish journey than a bite to eat at a classic Sephardi restaurant. Located within five miles of the Jewish quarters, this restaurant offers a wide selection of courses just like the ones your Israeli grandmother used to make. Lamb, Beef, Chicken, Kofta, and Chorizo La Escudilla offers a wide variety of kabobs, small plates, and main courses. Wash it all down with a nice bottle of Spanish wine or a Mitz Paz (classic Israeli soda). This restaurant offers great food at a reasonable price. If you are not so keen on going out of your comfort zone, La Escudilla also offer Spanish classics like patatas bravas, Pimientos de Padron, and Gazpacho. Between the rich history and culture, the Jewish quarters provide a glimpse into the past of many different communities. Next time you’re in Toledo, take a stroll through the Jewish quarters. I promise you won’t regret it!

Hey students, looking for some afternoon and nighttime fun in Toledo? Look no further than Sala Pícaro, a cafe-club in Toledo. This small club provides an intimate and unique setting to listen to Toledo’s up and coming rock and reggae bands. Students can enjoy drinks and an extensive menu while enjoying the music of Toledo in a modern setting. The smaller space means less crowds and a better place to enjoy music and have good conversations with friends. Sala Pícaro is dedicated to bringing Toledo’s best music and has concerts almost every single night. This intimate venue is the perfect place to relax with friends after a long day of classes!

For more information: https://sala.picarotoledo.com/

Dating back to 1264 under Pope Urban IV, the festival of Corpus Christi is Toledo’s biggest and most famous festival. Every year this festival falls on the Sunday of the ninth week after Easter, and the “Monstrance”, also known as the Custodia de Enrique de Arfe is paraded through the streets. Preparations for the festival begin long before the parade, with decorations such as wreaths and lanterns being put up five weeks before the parade. The day before the parade antique tapestries are put on display along the route, this is the only time these tapestries are displayed outdoors! On the day of the festival many people will gather around to see the Custodia de Enrique de Arfe, a elegant and massive piece of art first made in the fifteenth century using seventeen kilograms of the fiorst gold brought back to Spain from the Americas. Another addition was made by a german metalworker between 1514-1524.

This massive piece of artwork is walked along Toledo’s historic streets, with church bells tolling and fragrant flowers and herbs lining the streets until it is returned to the cathedral. This historic festival is sure to wow students with its extravagant beauty.

For more information: https://www.spanish-fiestas.com/festivals/corpus-christi/

La Custodia de la Catedral de Toledo

After your adventurous day exploring the historical sites in Toledo, you’re probably hungry, right? Well, I have the perfect place for you to get a nice, tasty treat. Professors bring your student down to the Pastelería Santo Tomé to get a mouthwatering treat. This bakery is famous for its marzipan style of baking which is a product derived from the combination of almonds, sugar, honey, and other additives, which have been part of the Mediterranean gastronomic culture for many centuries.

This is the ensaimada and it is a delicate and fluffy treat with a hint of icing sugar. It is a great pastry to have with a cup of coffee or to have with a light breakfast. The ingredients include flour, sugar, water, butter, yeast, salt, eggs, milk, almonds, honey, and lard. This is just one of the many different selections of food that you can get at the Pastelería Santo Tomé. If you really want to get the full experience you can get a marzipan Ingot that has Toledo written on it and show all your family and friends that you went to Toledo to try some of their famous marzipan.

Now some history on the controversial origin in the formation of the marzipan and how it began to form in Toledo. It is proclaimed to be controversial because legend and reality made it difficult to establish when the marzipan first formed in Toledo. Legend says that due to the incursion of the Almohads which destroyed many lands in South Castile, the population took refuge in Toledo. Toledo at this time was already brittle due to lack of food, and because of the increased inhabitants, it resulted in a great famine. The church had great importance because with their wealth and numerous incomes, not only did they have money, but they also had land. These lands produced large reserves of almonds from the Toledan Cigarrales. It was said that said fruit with the large amounts of almonds that they had, they were able to produce a new product with a pleasant taste and have great nutritional value, that would alleviate the hunger of the population.

Now in 1212 at the Time of Alfonso VIII, the term marzipan appears. The incursion of the Almohads gave rise as the same as the legend, lands were devastated, and the people took refuge in Toledo. History and legend clash together at this point and the origin was debatable at this time. Also, an important factor to mention, is that sugar was rare and expensive good, only available to a few, and was probably used in pharmacies to nuance the flavors of medicine.

In 1520 a book was written by Reperto de Nola, the chef of Mr. Don Fernando de Napoles. Later in 1520 in Catalan a book was published the first Castilian edition in Toledo that had formulas that were used for making marzipan. It may be a mystery of the development of the marzipan, where history and legend collide, but one thing we know for sure is that the marzipan is a tasty treat. If you want to know more about the marzipan and its origin, you can check out this link.

For those looking to study Spain’s Visigoth history, Toledo is the perfect city! Located in the 13th century Mudéjar church of San Roman, this museum preserves and displays the historic and artistic remains of the Visigoths in their former capital city. Romanesque frescos from the thirteenth century cover the walls and visitors can look forward to seeing archaeological findings displaying Toledo’s rich Visogothic history. Stonework and metalwork with preserved Roman and Visigoth carvings can be seen as well as modern recreations of crowns from the Guarrazar treasure. Visitors will be awed by examples of metalwork and other funerary offerings from the Necropolis of Carpio de Tajo.

Not only does this museum display Toledo’s rich Visigoth history, there are also elements of the cities history under Islamic rule. It is believed that the church which houses this museum was repurposed as a mosque with Islamic influences shining through in both the architecture and the decorations of arches and pilasters. There is also a free standing tower inspired by Islamic minarets.

Those who visit this museum will leave with a better understanding of Toledo’s history as the Visigoth’s capital as well as getting a glimpse into some of the Caliphate’s influences. The beautiful and elegant artifacts on display are sure to be a hit with students and educators alike.

For more information:

https://cultura.castillalamancha.es/museos/nuestros-museos/museo-de-los-concilios

https://www.spain.info/en/places-of-interest/concilios-visigothic-culture-museum/

Art lovers and historians alike will feel right at home in Toledo. The El Greco Museum in the Jewish Quarter of Toledo houses many of Greco’s famous works and even includes a recreation of his home. The Museum of El Greco was founded by the Marquis de la Vega-Inclán, a famous Spanish patron who is responsible for the opening of many museums in Spain. Students can tour many different rooms in a recreation of Greco’s home including the kitchen which displays 14th and 16th century furniture as well as culinary and domestic activities that would have occurred in the home.

The Caves, which are brick galleries that are the only preserved remains of Pedro I’s 14th century palace are also available for viewing before the museum’s permanent exhibits. These exhibits focus on Greco’s works through his training and impact in Toledo. The grand finale of this museum includes a recreation of a chapel to display a preserved Mudejar coffered ceiling and contextualizes El Greco’s Altarpiece of San Bernardino

For those looking to study Toledo’s art and history The Museum of El Greco is the perfect spot to be exposed to both. Featuring multiple historical buildings and remains as well as permanent and traveling art galleries, The Museum of El Greco is a must see when studying in Toledo.

For more information about the Museum and it’s exhibits, or to book your visit you can visit their website.

https://www.culturaydeporte.gob.es/mgreco/inicio.html

For those interested in Spain’s military history Toledo is home to Spain’s Museo del Ejército or the “Museum of the Army” in english. Located in two major buildings but with the primary exhibits located in the Alcazar, a former Roman palace renovated by Charles I and fortification during the Republican siege of Toledo in 1936. After the war the Alcazar was renovated, like most of the city, and would be turned into the museum seen today and is divided into two sections with two floors each. The first section holds the museum’s “Thematic Itinerary” which displays the history of the building, collections of historical artifacts (photographs, uniforms, flags, weapons, etc), the history of artillery and more. The third and fourth floors hold the “historical tour” which covers the periods of Spanish history between 1492-1843 (floor 3) as well as portions of the Alcazar itself notably the Charles V courtyard, the spiral and imperial staircases and colonel Moscardo’s office. On the fourth floor the Imperial chapel and exhibitions showcasing the periods from the Liberal state to the 20th century. The second building or the “new building” holds the museum’s temporary exhibits, the Alcazar’s archaeological site, the museum’s storage and offices. For those interested in internships or working abroad at the Museum the new building will likely be your best bet to apply.

The spice Saffron also plays an important role in Toledo’s food. Saffron is virtually found everywhere in Toledo in its original flower form to be the keystone of paella (spanish rice with saffron, vegetables, chicken, and seafood). The spice plays such an important part to the region’s cooking that an entire festival, normally around late October, is made in honor of its significance in nearby Consuegra. Not only is the festival an interesting cultural exposition with music and food as well as a saffron rose harvesting competition where those involved have to pick as many flowers as possible in the least amount of time.