Madrid Excursions to Toledo

(Madrid, Spain)

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Toledo

Overlooking the Río Tajo (River Tagus) from a Castilian hilltop, the national monument city of Toledo was formerly, in the time of the Visigoths, the Spanish capital. It once again became the capital of the country when the Court of Spain was moved to Madrid (1085 to 1561) by King Felipe II. As the religious centre of Spain the city's architecture has been influenced by the Christians, Moors and Jews.

Facts about Toledo

Population: approximately 45,000
Location: approximately 70 km / 44 miles south-west of Madrid
Journey time: approximately one hour and 15 minutes
Nearest bus route: Galeano International from Estación Sur, Méndez Alvaro, Tel: +34 91 468 42 00
Nearest railway station: Atocha, summer several trains an hour, winter not so often
By car: N-401
Tourist information: Puerta Nueva de Bisagra, north side of Toledo, Tel: +34 91 925 22 08 43
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 19:00 and Sunday - 09:00 to 15:00

Places of Interest

Catedral (Cathedral)

The Gothic tower bedecked with a spire ringed by spikes means that the Cathedral can be espied from any part of Toledo. Construction began in 1226, by the order of Archbishop Jiménez de Rada and the then monarch Fernando III el Santo, and completion was in 1493. The Cathedral houses some marvellous stained glass, delicate wood and stone sculptures, intricate wrought-iron work and a large collection of paintings. A valued possession is the silver and gilt monstrance, weighing 180 kilograms / 400 pounds, which is used the day of Corpus Christi (a declared festival of international tourist interest).
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:30 to 13:00 and 15:30 to 18:00 (summer until 19:00), Sunday - 10:30 to 13:30 and 16:00 to 18:00 (summer until 19:00)
Admission: charge for entry to closed areas

La Sinagoga de Santa María la Blanca (St. Mary of the White Synagogue)

Address: Calle de los Reyes Católicos
Once the main 12th-century synagogue in Toledo, La Sinagoga de Santa María la Blanca obtained its present title after its conversion to a church. The building's structural similarity to a mosque is explained by the fact that Muslim craftsmen constructed it. The synagogue has had many uses that include being a convent for 'fallen' women, a Catholic chapel and an army barracks.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 14:00 and 15:30 to 18:00 (summer until 19:00)
Admission: charge

La Sinagoga del Tránsito (Synagogue of the Dormition)

Address: Calle de los Reyes Católicos
Permission for construction of the synagogue was authorised in 1355 by Pedro I, since erecting these religious buildings was banned in Spain. Ornately decorated by Muslim artisans, the synagogue has an impressive Cedar of Lebanon ceiling.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:00, Sunday - closed in the afternoon

Museo Sefardi (Sephardic Museum)

Address: Adjacent to La Sinagoga del Tránsito
This museum demonstrates a sense of the Jewish culture in Spain with its exhibits of medieval scrolls, vestments and tombs.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:00, Sunday - closed in the afternoon
Admission: chargeable weekdays, free Saturday afternoon and Sunday

Casa y Museo de El Greco (El Greco House and Museum)

Address: Calle de Samuel Levi
In the 16th century, the Greek religious painter El Greco made his home in the old Jewish quarter. It is debatable as to whether he actually resided in the house originally built by Samuel Levi, a friend and adviser to King Peter I of Castile. In 1910, Don Benigno de Vega-Inclán started the museum. Today El Greco's distinguished work can be found on display, including 'Vista y Plano de Toledo / A View and Map of Toledo' and 'Portrait of St. Peter'.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:00, Sunday - closed in the afternoon
Admission: charge, reduction for students

El Alcázar (The Alcázar)

A fort founded in 1085, that was once the royal residence of Carlos I, the Alcázar has been demolished and restored many times, most recently during the Civil War. Franco had it rebuilt into a military museum. In the past the Alcázar has been used as an army school, as well as a prison.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 09:30 to 13:30 and 16:00 to 17:30 (summer until 18:30), Sunday - 10:00 to 13:30 and 16:00 to 17:30 (summer until 18:30)
Admission: charge

Iglesia de San Juan de los Reyes (St. John of the Kings Church)

This Gothic-style Franciscan church boasts an ornate cloister and was built on the orders of Fernando and Isabel to celebrate their win in 1476 at the Battle of Toro over the Portuguese. Construction began in 1477, although completion was not until 1606.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 13:45 and 15:30 to 18:00 (summer until 18:45)
Admission: charge

Iglesia de Santo Tomé (St. Thomas' Church)

Address: Plaza del Conde
Housing one of El Greco's most commended paintings, 'El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz' (Burial of the Count of Orgaz).
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 13:45 and 15:30 to 18:00 (summer until 18:45)
Admission: charge

Museo de Santa Cruz (Holy Cross Museum)

Address: Calle de Cervantes
Completed in 1515, the Museo de Santa Cruz was initially a hospital. Within the building now dwells an art collection including a wide selection of El Greco pieces such as the 'Asunción de la Virgen' (Altarpiece of the Assumption). There are many religious items on display including tapestries.
Open hours: Monday - 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:30 to 18:30, Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:30 and Sunday - 10:00 to 14:00
Admission: chargeable weekdays, free Saturday afternoon and Sunday

Hospital de Tavera (Tavera Hospital)

Built in 1541 for Juan Pardo de Tavera, a 16th-century Archbishop of Toledo. Nowadays the building is home to an art collection, which includes Titian's 'Portrait of Emperor Carlos' V, Claudio Coelle's painting of Princess Clara Eugenia, El Greco's 'Baptism of Christ' and Ribera's unusual portrait of a bearded woman.
Open hours: daily - 10:30 to 13:30 and 15:30 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Monasterio de Santo Domingo El Antiguo (Santo Domingo El Antiguo Monastery)

This is an 11th-century convent that now displays religious items and early works by El Greco.
Open hours: summer, Monday to Saturday - 11:00 to 13:30 and 16:00 to 19:00, Sunday - closed in the morning
Winter, Saturday - 11:00 to 13:30 and 16:00 to 19:00, Sunday and public holidays - 16:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge

Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (Museum of Contemporary Art)

Address: Calle de las Cadenas
This museum houses a Spanish modern art collection, including work by Joan Miró and Aureliano de Beruete.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:30, Sunday - closed in the afternoon
Admission: charge

Museo de los Concilios y Cultura Visigótica (Museum of the Councils and Visigothic Culture)

Address: Calle de San Román
This is a museum that has impressive architecture and houses documentation and jewellery.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:30, Sunday - closed in the afternoon
Admission: charge

Museo de Taller del Moro (The Taller del Moro)

Address: Calle del Taller del Moro
Examples of the workmanship of the artisan who once worked upon the cathedral are found in this 14th-century building.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:30, Sunday - closed in the afternoon
Admission: charge

Other Monuments

Puerta Nueva de Bisagra (The New Gate of Bisagra)
Puerta Vieja de Bisagra (The Old Gate of Bisagra)
Puerta del Cambrón (The Gate of Cambron)
Mezquita de Cristo de la Luz (The Mosque of El Cristo de la Luz)
Puerta del Sol (The Sun Gate)
Puente de Alcántara (The Bridge of Alcantara)
The Victorio Macho Museum
Puente de San Martin (St. Martin's Bridge)
The Shrine of El Cristo de la Vega
Iglesia de San Lucas (St. Luke's Church)

Surrounding Area

Illescas

Address: located approximately 42 km / 26 miles from Toledo

Convent of the Virgin of Charity / Hospital de la Virgen de la Caridad - various El Greco paintings harboured in the church