Blogs from Castile-La Mancha, Spain, Europe - page 3

Issy is either turning Spanish or reverting to her teenage years. She's been going to bed at 2am every night, and then waking up at about 10.30am. Actually she doesn't wake up; I wake her up. First stop this morning is the El Greco Museum. On the way we pass the 14th century Puente de San Martin, which we read is Toledo's second oldest bridge across the Tagus River. It has large towers at both ends, and its 40 metre long central arch was apparently one of the longest on any bridge in the world at the time it was built. We buy tickets to both the museum and the synagogue next door. The museum was founded by the Marquis of Vega-Inclan, who was a patron of the arts, and it opened in 1911. The Marquis ... read more

We get up at 7am, and we're in the breakfast room as soon as it opens at 8am. We're the only people here which is probably not too surprising. Seven am on a Sunday morning, which is effectively the same as 5am on a Sunday morning anywhere else in the world, is probably a time that most Spanish people haven't experienced very often. It's 9am when we get to the station but all the shops are still closed. We need to change trains in Madrid, and we have to queue up there to get our luggage scanned. When we get to the front of the queue we're told that we're in the wrong place, and that trains to Toledo leave from a different part of the station. The helpful railway official we ask for directions tells ... read more

We took the train to Toledo today and had the best tour of the town from a 29 year old Spanish guy who was so enthusiastic about being from Toledo and working there as a Guide. He’s getting married in the Cathedral 6/25/16 and showed us that chapel he was baptized and where he will be married. We probably spend 90 minutes in the Cathedral, the second largest in Spain after Seville, and even got to hear the organ play a couple hymns. But the most impressive room was the sacristy, where the priests and alter boys change into their clothes for Mass. It had a ceiling with frescos like the Sistine Chapel. Remarkable. And also many El Greco’s depicting Christ and the Apostles.I’m enjoying being back in Spain and think Madrid is pretty cool, but ... read more

We leave the hotel and head to the Metro to get us to the train station. We thought about stopping for a pastry along the way but it was a good thing we didn’t. By the time we hit the train station it was time to board and we rushed. We made it to the train but someone was sitting in some of our seats. We found other seats but then 2 of them were someone else’s. Eventually we got seats but the train was FULL. 30+ minutes later we arrive in Toledo (Pronounced Toe la do). We walk up to the old bridge and cross and work our way up the hill. The first part was on foot, then we could take the escalators from the car park (which was built into the mountain) up ... read more

The morning started off with us exploring the nearby Mosque of Cristo de la Luz. The mosque built during the 10thcentury, was turned into a Christian church after the taking of Toledo by Alphonse VI in 1085. The small mosque consists of pillars and horseshoe arches emblematic of Islamic architecture. Outside the mosque is a small peaceful garden with a fountain to sit down and relax. After visiting the mosque, we had a quick breakfast of croissants and churrios con chocolate before heading over to the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes. The Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes was founded by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to commemorate their triumph over Portugal at Toro in 1476. The cloister has a small, tranquil garden. It was used from the beginning by Franciscan friars and ... read more