The city of Toledo in Spain is the heart and soul of the country.Various historical landmarks stand in this imperial city. For this reason, the city was declared as a Historic-Artistic Site by UNESCO in 1940 and later, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.It is a small autonomous community of Castilla la Mancha with an area of 89.6 sq mi (232.1 sq km). The Alcazar Fortress, located on the highest part of the town, has the collection of the Army Museum.Toledo’s walls are reminders of the city’s multi-layered history. Three entrance gates provide entry to the country. Construction of these enormous walls was originally built by the Romans, rebuilt by Visigoths, enlarged further by the Moors, and finally expanded after Christian conquest. These three gates are Puerta del Cambron, Puerta Vieja de Bisagra, and Puerta del Sol.The Bisagra Gate is the only remnant of the Moorish town walls. Puente de Alcantara spanning the gorge of the Tagus River is an example of a Moorish establishment in Toledo. The Romans started building the Alcantara Bridge, but it was completed by the Moorish in 866. The present bridge that is used dates back to the 13th or 14th century. Visitors enjoy the magnificent view of the Alcazar town rising steeply above the river.If you are interested in more such content, then keep on reading the articles on Spain food facts and Spain flag facts too.Climate: Toledo SpainThe city of Toledo in Spain has a cold semi-arid type of climate. The summers are short and mostly clear with hot and dry weather. The sky remains partly cloudy throughout winter. The winters are very cold. The low precipitation rate in the city is the reason why it remains dry year-round. Precipitation in Toledo occurs from mid-autumn to mid-spring. The winter and summer temperature of the city varies from 34 F-93 F (1-33 C). The highest temperature that has been recorded in Toledo was 109.6 F (43.1 C), and the lowest recorded temperature was 7.9 F (−13.4 C). The best time for tourists to visit Toledo is from late June to late August; summer activities peak during this season.The hot season in the city lasts for a short span of 2.9 months. Summer officially starts on June 14, and it ends on September 10. The average daily summer temperature of the city lies above 84.9 F (29.4 C), but in the hottest month of the season, that is, July, the higher and the lower temperature respectively, varies between 92 F (33.3 C) to 65 F (19 C). The coldest month of Toledo in January. January temperatures vary between 34 F (1 C) to 52 F (11 C).Winter in Toledo lasts longer than summer ranging from November 14 to March 3. The cloud cover over the city experiences seasonal changes. The summer sky is mostly clear, while in the winter, the sky remains partly cloudy. The cloudy sky starts as soon as the summer ends, starting from September 12. It lasts for eight to nine months ending around June 9.The cloudiest month of Toledo is December; almost 51% of the sky remains covered with clouds in December. Even though the wet season lasts for 8.4 months in Toledo, the precipitation rate is low compared to it. April has the wettest days in a year, but October experiences the highest amount of rainfall. August is the driest month of the city, with an average rainfall of 0.2 in (0.5 cm).History: Toledo SpainThe history of Toledo dates back to the fifth century BC when the town was inhabited by some Jewish travellers. By 193 BC, it fell to the Roman general Marcus Fulvius Nobilior and became the capital of the Carpentaria province. Toledo is mentioned by the historian Livy as a small city with a fortified location. However, the city’s importance gradually faded when Philip II declared Madrid the capital of his empire. Still, Toledo is considered to be the most representative of Spanish culture among all Spanish cities.After the Romans, Toledo came under the rule of Visigoth leader Leovigild, and in 711 AD, the Moors came into power in Toledo. However, the entire city rose to protest the Moorish conquest, and ultimately the Moors were dethroned. It was the first city of the Moorish to provide Al-Andalus to fall and was captured by the Christian leaders immediately. The new ruler Alfonso VI sat on the throne of Toledo in 1085 AD, and soon he started converting the city into a centre of learning Christianity. At this time, although the Arab Library was left unharmed, things got a bit rough for the Jewish people there.Toledo was the capital of Castille till 1560; after that, the court shifted to Madrid. There were very few changes in Toledo from its medieval history till the 20th century. During the civil war, its citizens opted for a medieval defence. The terrible events of the war demolished the entire city, and it became a backwater. However, after UNESCO declared it to be a heritage site, several tourists go to Toledo each year. It was also declared to be the capital of Castilla La Mancha shortly before. Castilian Spanish is the official language of Toledo but some traditional languages such as Basque, Catalan, and Galician.Tourism: Toledo SpainMagnificent city walls and old stone buildings of medieval times capture the cultural legacy of Toledo. The city, also known as the City of Three Cultures, was a cultural ground of three flourishing religions for centuries; Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. A number of medieval churches, mosques, fortresses, palaces, and convents were built. Toledo is also known for the traditional crafts displayed all over the city’s churches and convents. The masterpieces of El Greco are preserved safely in the El Greco Museum. This historical city is one of the best tourist spots for a day trip in Madrid. You can visit the spots by availing bus from the bus stop close to the city centre or from the Toledo Railway Station.Catedral de Toledo or the Toledo Cathedral is one of the most important Christian monuments in Spain. It was constructed in the 13th century near a Muslim mosque Le Juderia (Jewish quarter). To enter the Toledo Cathedral, you need to walk through the Puerta de Mollette doorway. It is believed that food was distributed to the poor in this doorway.The real essence of Toledo lies in the atmospheric narrow streets of Casco Historico or the Old Town. Now deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the winding streets for pedestrians and artisan shops in narrow alleys look fascinating. This important town contains hundreds of churches, mosques, and synagogues. While exploring the Old City, tourists also come across the remnants of the Roman Empire of Toledos’s past. It contains Roman Baths, Cuevas de Hercules, where the Roman kept water reserves, and northeast of the cathedral.The Museo de Santa Cruz or the Santa Cruz museum is housed in an elegant building of the 16th century. This museum has three types of collections: Decorative Arts, Fine arts, and Archaeology. Fine arts include the masterpieces of famous people like El Greco (who was born in Toledo) and Goya; Decorative Arts exhibit the tapestries of the 15th and 16th century, including the remarkable zodiac sign illustrations, and the Archaeology section illustrates the prehistoric antiques of the Romans and decorative ceramic objects. Interesting trivia: there are still places around the city that still has artisans create handmade Damascene plates?The Catedral Primada de Espana or the Primate Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo is a Gothic cathedral that has a history of producing blade weapons. These weapons are now sold as common souvenirs of the city.Monasterio de San Juan de Los Reyes or the San Juan de Los Reyes monastery is one of the most exquisite examples of the Gothic culture of Toledo. It has a serene appearance and is entered through the Isabelline doorway, dating back to Queen Isabel’s epoch. The museum is open for the public year-round except from December 25 to January 1.Sinagoga del Transito was originally built in the heart of Juderia that sheltered the Jewish people and valued Jewish culture. The synagogue is decorated with Moorish art as well as Arabic and Hebrew inscriptions. The windows and ceiling have intricate geometrical patterns and floral motifs. The Sephardic Museum is built in the adjoining rooms of the El Transito Synagogue that contains many elements describing the Jew culture in Spain.A few minutes away, down the streets of the Jewish quarter, lies the marvellous El Greco Museum that contains all the masterpiece artworks of Greco. The museum building was renovated in 1906 and was decorated with all the furniture and sculptures of Greco.A few centuries before the El Transito Synagogue was set up, another synagogue called Mudejar Synagogue was found in the old quarter. After the British took over Toledo and converted such monuments into Christian churches, the Mujedar Synagogue was converted into the church Santa Maria la Blanca.Corpus Christi is an extravagant procession that has taken place on the streets of Toledo around April since the 15th century. In this precision, rich gold and silver monstrance is paraded on a carriage every year escorted by regalia-clad cavalry. A month before that, they celebrate a Holy Week known as Semana Santa. Visiting Toledo from Madrid during this time will be wonderful for tourists.Safety Measures: Toledo SpainThe tourists in Toledo feel safe since it is one of the safest destinations in Spain. However, the unalarmed tourists are always susceptible to certain crimes such as pick-pockets and purse-snatchers. Staying wary while visiting the hotspots of Toledo might save you from such crimes.The majority of tourists in Toledo reports a trouble-free visit to the city. Avoiding being out alone at night is recommended for tourists. In terms of health, the water in Toledo is fresh and pure. Since the sun is very strong in Spain, you can use protection creams to be safe from the rays or avoid exposure as much as you can for the first few days. They also have top-tier medical services in the city.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for toledo Spain facts then why not take a look at Spain Christmas symbols or soccer in Spain facts?
The city of Toledo in Spain is the heart and soul of the country.
