Beautiful Toledo

I was fortunate to be able to take a day trip out to Toledo. The beautiful city of Toledo, once the capital city of Spain, and it still retains the atmosphere characteristic of so many European capital cities. Toledo is a magic place, probably one of the most spectacular cities in the world. The buildings and winding streets contained within the old city walls hold hundreds of years of history, and the River Tajo which runs alongside the city walls adds to its charm and beauty. The city was built in the 13th century. Two of its most interesting sights are:

* Alcázar: This outstanding castle is one of Toledo's most emblematic monuments and was used as a fortress by Romans, Visigods, Arabs and Christians. King Alfonso VI built his residence here and some of Spain's most prestigious artists and architects intervened in the construction of the royal palace. It was destroyed in the 18th century during the War of Succession, reconstructed only to be badly damaged a few years later in a fire and rebuilt yet again. The last time the palace was destroyed was during the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War and it was repaired when the War ended.

* Cathedral of Toledo: Founded in the 1st Century by San Eugenio, the first Bishop of Toledo. It was changed into a mosque by the Arabs during Moorish occupation of Spain, and then converted back into a cathedral by Alfonso VI. In the 13th Century it was destroyed and the impressive Gothic building which can be seen today was built on the old cathedral's foundations.