Episode 14 – Toledo – a hilly stop

Overlooking the old tower and bridge from a hillside

Toledo was once the capital of Spain. It also had a very strong Moorish influence. The day we arrived, we took a bus ride up to a hillside where we could see the winding river and the different pockets of communities. It was a grand view.

Inside of the cathedral

We had a young tourist guide who was energetic to organize a 21/2 hour walking tour for us. It was hot. The temperature was in the 40s. Everybody was trying their best to keep up. The sun was furious. We were walking the narrow, steaming streets of Toledo. There were the usual twists and turns and we finally took a break at the Cathedral. It was a mixed building of Romanesque and Arabic style.

While walking the streets of Toledo, we noticed a lot of tapestries and flags were hanging outside of balconies and on walls. There were canopies of clothe material leading through the streets. These covered streets denoted the road bishops and Cardinals travelled and it was said we should follow the path and we not be lost. It was a beautiful story. At least the clothe canopies in the middle of the streets kept the direct sunlight from us. We were thankful to the Cardinals.

A sample of a broch design

Toledo is also famous for craftsmanship of gold and silver inlaid besides from making excellent knives. We were brought to one of those factories. There were craftsmen showing their skills. A visit to a showroom after meant a complete melt down of the credit card. The ladies were looking for opportunities to buy. They did not care what the gentlemen thought.

So long as there is happiness around, laughter is something money can buy.

look at the sculpture, every bit a challenge to Michael Angelo’s work

The El Greco museum in Toledo houses some of the finest exhibits by El Greco. This man is no Spanish by origin. He was Greek who tranvelled to Spain. That is why the name El Greco. Besides being a painter, he also excelled in architecture, sculptures, and murals. He was compared to or sometimes surpassed Michael Angelo’s work. A lot of artists come to Toledo to study El Greco.

His famous painting where El Greco included his son (the little boy) on canvas