Toledo
District Guide

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If you want to get to know Toledo, dust off your walking shoes and get ready. The city is an intricate, windy conglomeration of narrow and often steep streets that cannot possibly be mastered in a short period of time. A map of the city shows a magnificent labyrinth placed atop a hill, with no structure whatsoever. To arrive in Toledo is to confront a city in which almost every stone tells a centuries old history. There is no point in trying to divide it rationally; there are really only two concrete areas: the Casco Histórico, or Historical Quarter, which is, essentially, the whole of the old city; and the newly-built neighbourhoods, which are separated by the city walls. The Puerta de Bisagra (Bisagra Gate) is probably the most popular means of entry into the old city.

Go through the impressive Puerta de Bisagra and you find yourself in the Historical Quarter; you will immediately perceive the special atmosphere that is the result of the mixture of history and modernity, most notably in architecture. You can easily note this blend in the Alcázar itself, the military citadel built by Alfonso VI after the Reconquest. It now houses the Museum of Santa Cruz and the Tuesday market, by crossing through the Arco de la Sangre (Arch of Blood). From here you also have an impressive view out over the Tagus (Tajo) River.

Calle Comercio also leads to the Palacio Arzobispal (the Archbishop's Palace) and the cathedral walls, which rise up in front of the palace; these Gothic walls support one of the most important cathedrals not only in Spain, but in all of Europe, due to its architectonic majesty. Both of these sights are found in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (Town Hall Square), where you can also see the Renaissance style Santo Tomé, which has recently been pedestrianised. Here there are arts and crafts shops, restaurants, as well as beautiful buildings like El Greco's House. This whole area is full of art, history and religion. From Santo Tomé Street you can also get to Paseo del Tránsito, one of the city's best lookout points, where you get a great view of the area referred to as El Valle (The Valley) where you can see the Circo Romano (Roman Amphitheatre). The Covachuelas

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