Toledo, part three of three,

Images from Our Walks

 -- in, on, through, around -- 

 -- History, Streets, Buildings, Faiths, Art --

:: April 10 - 20 ::

Toledo in the Middle Ages was a city of three cultures: Jewish, Muslim and Christian. Prior to the Middle Ages, Celtic tribes, Romans and Visigoths lived in Toledo. Buildings,  important and humble have details that reflect the Mudejar craftsmen and architects who worked here before and after the Christian reconquest in 1492. 

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Romans:
The Roman circus. 1st century

We also visited the Alcantara Bridge  (2nd century), and ruins of fortifications under the Alcazar. We did not visit the remnants of Roman Baths.

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Visigoths:

Art and Culture Museum in 13th century San Román Church: replicas of votive crowns, Visigoth capitals and reliefs, historical documents, historic artistic remains, other treasures

Toledo was capital of the Visigoth Kingdoms in mid 6th century.

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Muslims (Moors):
The Mezquita de Cristo de la Luz (Cristo de la Luz Mosque), built at the end of 11th century, is the only mosque building that remains of the several that existed. An apse was added in the 15th century when the building was converted to a Catholic Church and renamed in 15th century. 

Taller de Moro (Workshop of the Moors):
This building is now now a museum that highlights Mudejar art and craft of the 14th century, especially the detailed plaster work.

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Jews:

Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca, (1180),

was converted to use as a church in the 15th century.

Sephardic Museum in El Tránsito Synagogue (1357)

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Catholics:

Cathedral of Toledo:

Built between 1227-1493 on former Visigoth and Muslim places of worship. This huge cathedral is considered a fine example of (mostly) Spanish High Gothic architecture with its sculpture, woodwork, ironwork and artwork by talented artists artisans--too much. We found it hard to appreciate the whole with its so many parts There are 88 columns, 15 ornate chapels, several tombs, a sacristy with a portrait gallery of archbishops and works by El Greco and other masters of the day, elaborate gold altarpiece, a marble Spanish Baroque Transparente in the ambulatory behind the altar, and so much more. Gothic and Baroque combine with Mudejar elements.

Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes:

Founded by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella 1477-1504 to commemorate a victorious battle and the birth of their son.

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Artists and Artisans: 

We saw outstanding work of many. but here are images of the work of El Greco, (the Greek). We found his works in multiple religious settings in Toledo. The Greek-born painter and sculptor (1541-1614) made his home in Toledo. He is known as a "mannerist"; most obvious is his elongation of the human figure, portrayal of emotions, and use of intense colors. His landscape image of the distant Toledo is more characteristic of Flemish artists than of his contemporaries around the Mediterranean.

Images from the El Greco Museum and Gardens and elsewhere.

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Some final images to help us remember: