Toledo

On Saturday I took my first day trip with my study abroad program in Spain: Toledo. Situated only 45 minutes away from Madrid by bus, Toledo is a city completely different from Madrid. My study abroad director told us about how each city you visit in Spain is unique, and I am now starting to realize that. Last week's trip to El Escorial consisted of a small-town mountain pueblo, rich with culture. Toledo, on the other hand, is very much a tourist destination. It is an elevated city that requires constant climbing to get around. However, this elevation enables beautiful views of the city and its surroundings once you reach the top.

The entrance to Toledo

Taylor, Cristina, Alyssa, and Holly entering Toledo

Taylor and I with Cervantes, the author of the esteemed Don Quijote

Eating Mazapan, Toledo's signature sweet treat

 Toledo is known for the blending and cohabitation of the world's three major religions: christianity, judaism, and islam. As such, Toledo boasts impressive cathedrals, synagogues, and a nearby mosque. Toledo's cathedral was the first attraction we visited. The cathedral dates back to the XV century and is very unique in its appearance. Cathedrals tend to be symmetric buildings--symmetry was equated to beauty at this time--yet Toledo's cathedral has a tall tower to the left of its entrance while the tower on the right is much shorter. The cathedral's façade is beautifully decorated with scenes from Christ's life. The most impressive to me was the final supper scene depicted just above the main archway.

The cathedral of Toledo

Close up of Jesus and the 12 apostles at the last supper carved above the arch of the cathedral

 During the time of construction, many arabs were immigrating into Spain, which led to muslim influence on many christian structures. The cathedral is one example of this. Some of its ceilings are decorated in typical muslim style, the same types of ceilings that I saw at the Alhambra.

Arab influenced roof in the Cathedral

opulently adorned altar

During the Renaissance, before the invention of electricity, God's presence was believed to be seen through light. As such, renaissance cathedrals are decorated with stained glass, which lit up with the sun and allowed God's glory to light up the church. Toledo's cathedral is a prime example of this belief of God's presence through sunlight. Not only is the cathedral lined with stained glass, in the back of the church, behind the altar, the ceiling open to allow direct sunlight in. The base of the opening consists of the madonna and child surround by angels carved out of marble, and the ceiling top leading up to the opening is painted with angels. Its beauty cannot be captured by a picture.

The Madonna carved out of marble

opening in the roof for God's light 

the chapel 

 We ended our time in Toledo with a visit to El Greco's museum. The museum was filled with his works, including one room devoted to  the last supper. There were 13 paintings in a line on the wall, a portrait of Jesus in the center with portraits of the apostles on each side of him. In addition to religious portraits,  El Greco also painted many portraits of royal Spanish families.

El Greco's Jesus at the last supper