Holy Toledo, Don Quixote!

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Today we made our way to Toledo in air conditioned comfort, which was short lived as the temperature reached 36C today. Despite the heat, it was a most enjoyable and interesting day touring this medieval town that is a UNESCO heritage site. As we approached the city, walking from the station, we saw the remains of the town's walls and gates. We made our way to Tolede Cathedral, and spent the next two hours exploring its many wonders. We could have spend much longer there to appreciate its beauty and history. We even say the processional monstrance, the largest in Christendom, made of silver and gold, containing the smaller monstrance that belonged to Isabella the Catholic. They also had a Corpus Christi procession on the day of the festival. We then explored many of the small medieval streets and other churches, including the Monastery of St John of the Kings, now a Franciscan monastery. It was originally built to house the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella, before they conquered Granada from the Moors, and are now located there. The Monastery now displays the chains of the Christians who were held by the Muslims in Granada. The Alcazar, which we intended to visit, was unfortunately closed for renovations. The area is known as the Castille-La Mancha and is famous for Don Quixote and Sancho, his companion. We finally caught the train back to our apartment, so that we recover for our next experience tomorrow at Avila.

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Photos

The Alcazar.
A view on the way to the town.

Puerta de Bisagra.
This was our entry into the town. It was reconstructed in 1550 by Charles V.

The Cathedral.
The tower and the main entrance. Unfortunately, we were not permitted to take pictures or video inside (but we bought a book).

St John of the Kings.
You can see the chains hanging on the wall.