Diana Petterson European Continent, Spain

My Solo Month in Spain: Toledo

Me guarding one of the ancient bridges bridges of Toledo, the Puente de Alcántara or the Alcántara Bridge. Of Roman origin, it was rebuilt in Muslim and Christian times. The bridge rests on two round arches and supports the fortified gate tower. This is one of my favorite Medieval Ages bridges in Toledo but on this trip, I was able to discover a couple more. (Sept. 15, 2021)

I love Toledo! I honestly thought since I have been here before that perhaps I had seen it all, but I was just kidding myself!

I logged quite a few miles seeing some familiar places but really discovering new ones and more terrain. I literally wore myself out from the heat and all the walking. Add to that little to no WiFi in my rental apartment and spartan cellular service, even though T-Mobile has been rather strong on this trip, I was only able to post a small portion of my visit around the city to my Facebook Page. But here on my website, I’ve been able to expand on my post and include places new to me like the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes;the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz or Mosque of Christ of the Light; the Iglesia de El Salvador and the medieval Puente de San Martín or St. Martin’s Bridge.

I also visited and included some favorites like the Puente de Alcántara or the Alcántara Bridge, the Church of Santa Tome built in the 14th century and houses El Greco’s masterpiece, “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz” and the Primatial Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo commonly known as the Toledo Cathedral.

It felt good to be back in Toledo but that meant my month-long journey thru Spain was soon coming to a close with my next and last stop to Spain’s UNESCO World Heritage site of Alcala de Henares. But before I move on, here’s a little of Toledo.

Me guarding the ancient gate or the Puente de Alcántara or the Alcántara Bridge in Toledo. Of Roman origin, it was rebuilt in Muslim and Christian times. The bridge rests on two round arches and supports the fortified gate tower and a tower at the opposite end. This is one of my favorite Medieval Age bridges in Toledo but on this trip, I was able to discover a couple more. (Sept. 15, 2021)

An elevated view of the Puente de Alcántara, a Roman arch bridge, with two arches in Toledo that spans the Tagus River. (Sept. 15, 2021)
The Puente of Alcántara in Toledo with its tower and gate. In the Middle Ages, the gate was one of the few entrances for pilgrims into the city. (Sept. 15, 2021)
The Puente of Alcántara gate in Toledo. In the Middle Ages it was one of the few entrances for pilgrims into the city. This eastern Baroque triumphal arch gate replaced a tower a ruined tower in 1721. (Sept. 15, 2021)
The Puente of Alcántara gate in Toledo. In the Middle Ages it was one of the few entrances for pilgrims into the city. This eastern Baroque triumphal arch gate replaced a tower a ruined tower in 1721. (Sept. 15, 2021)
The Puente de Alcántara is a Roman arch bridge in Toledo and spans the Tagus River. In the distance, on the hill, I’d the Alcazar of Toledo. (Sept. 15, 2021)
The Puente de Alcántara tower, part of the Roman arch bridge in Toledo, spans the Tagus River. During the reign of Alfonso X of Castile the damaged tower was rebuilt and later decorated under the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, whose arms decorate its walls. (Sept. 14, 2021)
In the distance, on the hill, I’d the Alcazar of Toledo. (Sept. 15, 2021)
The Alcantara Gate or Puerta de Alcántara leads from the historic city center to the Puente de Alcántara Roman arch bridge ithat spans the Tagus River. Of Arab origin, it dates from around the 10th century, although important modifications were made during the Christian era. It had great relevance in the defense of the city during the Middle Ages, to be the place through which people and goods entered. (Sept. 15, 2021)
Me inside the Alcantara Gate or Puerta de Alcántara that leads from the historic city center to the Puente de Alcántara Roman arch bridge ithat spans the Tagus River. (Sept. 15, 2021)
The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo, my very first time here, was founded by the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon and built between 1477 and 1504. It was intended to be their own pantheon. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The outer walls of the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo have chains hanging as an offering for the Christian captives taken by the last Muslim king of Granada around 1492. The monastery was founded by the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. Its main style is Gothic with Spanish and Flemish influences. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The interior and main chapel of the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes or the Monastery of Saint John of the Monarchs is an Isabelline style Franciscan monastery in Toledo and was built by the Catholic Monarchs (1477–1504). (Sept. 17, 2021)
A close-up of the altar in the main chapel of the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes or the Monastery of Saint John of the Monarchs. (Sept. 17, 2021)
Reliefs with the coats of the Catholic Monarchs along the side walls of the main chapel of the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes or the Monastery of Saint John of the Monarchs in Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
A close-up of the reliefs with the coats of the Catholic Monarchs along the side walls of the main chapel of the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes or the Monastery of Saint John of the Monarchs in Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The rear view inside the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes or the Monastery of Saint John of the Monarchs. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The ground floor cloister of the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes or the Monastery of Saint John of the Monarchs. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The ground floor of the cloister inside the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes or the Monastery of Saint John of the Monarchs. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The upper Cloister in the monastery of San Juan de los Reyes with the Mudéjar style ceiling details. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The inner Mudéjar style ceiling details of the upper cloister at the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes or the Monastery of Saint John of the Monarchs in Toledo. Mudéjar is a fusion of Christian (Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance) and Islamic art created in the 12th to 16th centuries by the Muslims who remained in Christian territory after the gradual Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). The upper cloister, first completed in 1526 and restored in the 19th century, is made of larch wood and painted with the motifs and coats of arms of the Catholic Monarchs. (Sept. 17, 2021)
More of the Mudéjar style ceiling details of the upper Cloister in the monastery of San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
A view of cloister garden from the upper floor of the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes or the Monastery of Saint John of the Monarchs in Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The exterior of the Church of Santa Tome, built in the 14th century and houses El Greco’s masterpiece, “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.” Born in Crete, his real name was Doménikos Theotokópoulos, which is probably why he was best known as El Greco. It was the name given to him while he studied art in Italy and followed him to his new home and work environment of Toledo which is where his artistic skills matured and where he spent the rest of his life. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The interior of the the Church of Santa Tome, built in the 14th century and houses El Greco’s masterpiece, “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.” (Sept. 17, 2021)
The altar of the Church of Santa Tome built in the 14th century and houses El Greco’s masterpiece, “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.” (Sept. 17, 2021)
“The Burial of the Count of Orgaz” at the Church of Santa Tome is widely considered among El Greco’s finest works, coupling heaven and earth. El Greco, a prominent Renaissance painter, sculptor, and architect of Greek origin, who made Toledo his home, created this large painting in 1586. (Sept. 17, 2021)
“The Burial of the Count of Orgaz” at the Church of Santa Tome is widely considered among El Greco’s finest works, coupling heaven and earth. El Greco, a prominent Renaissance painter, sculptor, and architect of Greek origin, who made Toledo his home, created this large painting in 1586. (Sept. 17, 2021)
A close-up of “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz” by El Greco in 1586 and can be seen at the Church of Santa Tome in Toledo where El Greco lived and died. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The remnants of a Roman street paving, from around the 1st century, at the entryway of the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz or Mosque of Christ of the Light in Toledo. The mosque, built in 999, is a rarity in that it is in pretty much the same exterior condition as when it was originally built. (Sept. 16, 2021)
This Mosque of Cristo de la Luz in Toledo along with the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba are the oldest examples of the islamic culture in Spain. (Sept. 16, 2021)
Inside the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz or Mosque of Christ of the Light in Toledo, built in 999, has 12 entwined horseshoe arches that rest on columns. (Sept. 16, 2021)
The Christ of Light cross inside the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz or Mosque of Christ of the Light in Toledo is a replica of the original image and presides within the apse. The Islamic mosque was converted into a Catholic church around 1085 when Toledo was taken control of by the Christians. (Sept. 16, 2021)
Faded Christian murals decorate the interior of the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz or Mosque of Christ of the Light in Toledo. This notably faded close-up mural of Christ is on a blue background in the apse. (Sept. 16, 2021)
The garden of the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz or Mosque of Christ of the Light. (Sept. 16, 2021)
A view of the Puerta del Sol city gate off the garden of the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz or Mosque of Christ of the Light. The gate was built in the late 14th century by the Knights Hospitaller. The medallion above the arch of the gate depicts the ordination of the Visigothic Ildephonsus, Toledo’s patron saint. (Sept. 16, 2021)
A view of Toledo from the garden of the Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz or Mosque of Christ of the Light. (Sept. 16, 2021)
The Puerta Bab al-Mardum or Puerta de Valmardón is a city gate built in the 10th century and considered one of the oldest gates in Toledo. Its name ‘Mardum’ is Arabic for ‘blocked up’. The Spanish name ‘Valmardón’ is a rough, phonetic imitation of the Arabic. ‘Mezquita Bab al-Mardum’ is another name for the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz which can been through the passageway of the gate. This gate also leads down to the Puerta del Sol. (Sept. 16, 2021)
The Puerta del Sol is a city gate built in the late 14th century by the Knights Hospitaller. (Sept. 16, 2021)
The entrance of the 14th century Puerta del Sol city gate of Toledo. (Sept. 16, 2021)
The medallion above the arch of the 14th century Puerta del Sol city gate. The medallion depicts the ordination of the Visigothic Ildephonsus, Toledo’s patron saint. (Sept. 16, 2021)
A side view of the Puerta del Sol city gate in Toledo. (Sept. 16, 2021)
The Iglesia de El Salvador, is an exceptional building, because it was the site of four successive constructions, one on top of another and so on. It is a 12th-century church built on an 11th-century Taifa mosque, which was an expansion of a 9th-century Umayyad mosque and in turn on a Visigothic religious building. (Sept. 17, 2021)
Inside the Iglesia de El Salvador, is an exceptional building, because it was the site of four successive constructions, one on top of another and so on. The current church is still oriented south-east, in the direction of Mecca. It survived the conquest of Toledo by the Christian armies in 1085, to be turned into a church in 1159. One of the most characteristic elements of the church is the Visigothic pilaster to the right, with intricate relief carvings. The arcade of the former mosque blended in the church; its horseshoe arches rest on six reused Roman capitals and one Visigothic pilaster.  (Sept. 17, 2021)
The altar inside the Iglesia de El Salvador in Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
A close-up of the altarpiece inside the Iglesia de El Salvador in Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The Visigothic pilar with the intricate relief carvings at the
the Iglesia de El Salvador in Toledo. The Muslims scraped off the faces on the reliefs which are said to depict the life of Christ. (Sept. 17, 2021)
A close-up of the Visigothic pilar with the intricate relief carvings at the Iglesia de El Salvador in Toledo. The Muslims scraped off the faces on the reliefs said to depic the life of Christ. (Sept. 17, 2021)
A close-up of the otherside of the Visigothic pilar with its intricate relief carvings at the Iglesia de El Salvador in Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
Visigoth and Roman remains inside the left-hand area of the Iglesia de El Salvador in Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
Visigoth and Roman remains inside the left-hand area of the Iglesia de El Salvador in Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
Visigoth and Roman remains inside the left-hand area of the Iglesia de El Salvador in Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
Me at the 16th century defensive tower entrance of the medieval Puente de San Martín or St. Martin’s Bridge. The walking bridge, with its five arches, crosses the river Tagus in Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The 16th century defensive tower entrance of the medieval Puente de San Martín or St. Martin’s Bridge. This bridge linked the city of Toledo to the west. An earlier bridge was destroyed by flooding and it is thought that this rebuilt bridge was completed by the early 14th century. The walking bridge, with its five arches, crosses the river Tagus in Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The 16th century defensive tower entrance of the medieval Puente de San Martín or St. Martin’s Bridge with the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, Charles V. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The 16th century defensive tower entrance of the medieval Puente de San Martín or St. Martin’s Bridge. This bridge linked the city of Toledo to the west. An earlier bridge was destroyed by flooding and it is thought that this rebuilt bridge was completed by the early 14th century. The walking bridge, with its five arches, crosses the river Tagus in Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
Looking down towards the 13th century defensive tower of the medieval Puente de San Martín or St. Martin’s Bridge. This bridge linked the city of Toledo to the west. An earlier bridge was destroyed by flooding and it is thought that this rebuilt bridge was completed by the early 14th century. Defensive towers are at each end of the bridge. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The medieval Puente de San Martín or St. Martin’s Bridge was constructed in the late 14th century by archbishop Pedro Tenorio to provide access to the old town from the west, complementing the older Puente de Alcántara linking to the east. Both sides of the bridge were heavily fortified with towers, the more recent dating from the 16th century. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The medieval Puente de San Martín or St. Martin’s Bridge was constructed in the late 14th century by archbishop Pedro Tenorio to provide access to the old town from the west, complementing the older Puente de Alcántara linking to the east. Both sides of the bridge were heavily fortified with towers, the more recent dating from the 16th century. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The main facade of the Primatial Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo or more commonly, the Toledo Cathedral from the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Construction began in 1226 under the rule of Ferdinand III and the last Gothic contributions were made in the 15th century when, in 1493, the vaults of the central nave were finished during the time of the Catholic Monarchs. (Sept. 16, 2021)
Another view of the main facade of the Primatial Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo or more commonly, the Toledo Cathedral from the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. (Sept. 16, 2021)
The Tower of the Toledo Cathedral. (Sept. 16, 2021)
Inside the Toledo Cathedral with its vaulted ceiling and high altar. (Sept. 17, 2021)
Inside the Toledo Cathedral with its vaulted ceiling and high altar. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The retable of the Toledo Cathedral altarpiece represents the life and passion of Jesus. It was commissioned by Cardinal Cisneros, with the work begun in 1497 and finished in 1504. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The retable of the Toledo Cathedral altarpiece represents the life and passion of Jesus. It was commissioned by Cardinal Cisneros, with the work begun in 1497 and finished in 1504. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The retable of the Toledo Cathedral altarpiece represents the life and passion of Jesus. (Sept. 17, 2021)
A close-up of the retable of the Toledo Cathedral altarpiece represents the life and passion of Jesus.
(Sept. 17, 2021)
Inside the Toledo Cathedral. (Sept. 17, 2021)
El Transparente, a Baroque altarpiece, in the ambulatory of the Toledo Cathedral. (Sept. 17, 2021)
El Transparente, a Baroque altarpiece, in the ambulatory of the Toledo Cathedral. (Sept. 17, 2021)
A close-up of the El Transparente, a Baroque altarpiece, in the ambulatory of the Toledo Cathedral. (Sept. 17, 2021)
El Transparente, a Baroque altarpiece in the ambulatory of the Toledo Cathedral. (Sept. 17, 2021)
Along the edges of the El Transparente, the Baroque altarpiece, is a skylight with an array of Biblical figures inside the Toledo Cathedral. (Sept. 17, 2021)
Along the edges of the El Transparente, the Baroque altarpiece, is a skylight with an array of Biblical figures inside the Toledo Cathedral.At the outer edge of the opening sits Christ on a bank of clouds and surrounded by angels. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The High Altar of the sacristy of the Toledo Cathedral.
The sacristy was designed by Francisco Vergara the Greater and Juan Bautista Monegro, in Herrerian style. The barrel vault ceiling is lavishly decorated with frescos by Luca Giordano. The walls display a variety of elaborately framed paintings, forming a gallery of works by several great masters including El Greco. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The Disrobing of Christ or El Expolio, a painting by El Greco begun in the summer of 1577 and completed in the spring of 1579, for the High Altar of the sacristy of the Toledo Cathedral. (Sept. 17, 2021)
A close-up of the the Disrobing of Christ or El Expolio, a painting by El Greco begun in the summer of 1577 and completed in the spring of 1579, for the High Altar of the sacristy of the Toledo Cathedral. (Sept. 17, 2021)
The Mirador del Valle Toledo, also called El Mirador Toledo, provides an epic viewpoint of this UNESCO World Heritage city in Spain. (Sept. 17, 2021)
Views around Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
Views around Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
Views around Toledo. (Sept. 17, 2021)
Views around Toledo. (Sept. 16, 2021)
Views around Toledo. (Sept. 16, 2021)
Views around Toledo. (Sept. 16, 2021)
Views around Toledo. (Sept. 15, 2021)
The Plaza de Zocodover in Toledo. (Sept. 16, 2021)
The Plaza de Zocodover in Toledo. (Sept. 16, 2021)
The statue of writer Miguel de Cervantes, located next to Arco de la Sangre, arabic door, off of the Plaza de Zocodover in Toledo. (Sept. 16, 2021)
My apartment in Toledo was on this narrow street within a short walk of the Toledo Cathedral and the the Plaza de Zocodover. (Sept. 15, 2021)
The living room/diningroom of my apartment in Toledo. The best thing about it was the location. I had little to no WiFi so I had to rely on cellular service which was intermittent. (Sept. 15, 2021)
The kitchen area, part of the living/dining room area, of my apartment in Toledo. (Sept. 15, 2021)
My bedroom in my apartment in Toledo. (Sept. 15, 2021)
Waiting for my taxi, outside of my apartment, to go to the train station for my last stay in Spain, Alcala de Henares. (Sept. 18, 2021)
The very beautiful Toledo railway station. (Sept. 18, 2021)
The very beautiful Toledo railway station. Making my way to Alcala de Henares. (Sept. 18, 2021)