Toledo in a Day With Private Transfer

Overview

There are numerous day trips you can take that are just a short journey from incredible Madrid, but few are as rewarding as visiting the 'City of Three Cultures,' magnificent Toledo. Capitol of Castilla La Mancha, a former Roman settlement, the center of the Visigoth Kingdom in Iberia, and the Spanish Capital in the 16th Century, a veritable melting pot of cultures and religions. Perched above the Tagus River, just a short drive from Madrid, join Through Eternity as we explore wonderful Toledo.

Description

Toledo is built on a hill dominating a turn in the Tagus River. Two thousand years of history are found within the city. It is famous for its Mudejar style, an artistic style that is influenced by three major religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Its various rulers over the century all left vestiges of their passage, so Toledo is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its indelible cultural heritage. There is a lot to see in just one day, but with our trip by private van from Madrid, it will be a seamless and hopefully enlightening experience.

Some highlights of your tour with Through Eternity include:

Three Religions in One City

Home of the Spanish Inquisition and militant Catholicism from the 15th Century onwards, Spain’s multi-religious nature is often forgotten. Cities like Cordoba, Granada, and Toledo were once home of to three major religious communities. Toledo’s religious history is reflected in its architecture. These include the historic Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, once a synagogue, then a church, and now a fascinating museum. Of course the extraordinary high gothic cathedral, one of the most impressive in all of Spain, will be visited. Complete your tour with a trip to the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, now a catholic chapel but originally built all the way back in 999 C.E. as a Mosque, to really appreciate the depth of religious and cultural history in Toledo.

El Greco

Domenikos Theotokopoulos, better known as El Greco spent most of his mature working life living in Toledo. As a result he has left his mark on the city with numerous masterpieces scattered throughout. In the church of Santo Tomé marvel at the The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, a large painting divided between an image of heaven and of earth. Or in the sacristy of the Cathedral find The Disrobing of Christ, El Greco’s dynamic altarpiece. El Greco’s paintings for their time were remarkably unique and still manage to stun to this day. With your expert guide, El Greco’s life and his influence on the history of art will be explored, in the best place in the world to explore it. Toledo!

Steel from Toledo and Culinary delights

The great Carthaginian Hannibal apparently used steel from Toledo in fighting the Roman Legions, so impressed were they that they adopted it themselves. If it is good enough for them, then it is good enough for us, and it still is a highly regarded industry in the town. What better way to use your new Toledo steel than to cut into one of the great local specialties in one of the restaurants overlooking the river from above? Try out carcamusa, a sort of pork stew, and finish off with some of the region's famous Manchego cheese. Your Through Eternity guide will be happy to recommend some great spots to fuel up for more exploration in the city.

Our Tour

Through Eternity’s tour of Toledo is by private van from the center of Madrid. It takes around 45 minutes to reach the city. You will explore the city with your Through Eternity guide and then return to Madrid for your evening.