www.ayto-toledo.org
Toledo is the most complete, brilliant and suggestive
resumé of Spanish history. A crossroads of civilisations,
here one can find traces of the most divers populations.
Toletum was already famous in Roman times, conquered by
Fulvius Novilor (190 before Christ) and capitl of the
Carpetany.
Occupied by the Visigoths in 418, within the city walls
sheltered the historic synods of Toledo.
The arabs dominated Toledo during 370 years until Alphonse
VI took possession of the city in 1805 and made it the
capital of Catille.
A shining light under Alphonse X the Wise with the School
of translation at this time, Christians, Jews, Mozarabs and
Arabs lived in perfect harmony, creating that Spiritual
community wich has survived in the chronicles as the 'City
of three cultures'.
The mysterious streets, the Jewish markets, the magicians,
the walls and towers of the city gave extraordinary
interest to medieval Toledo.
Toledo is still important today : capital of
Castilla-la-Mancha region, situated at 70kms fromMadrid and
displaying an active cultural and social life style thanks
to its University and to the tourism (2 000 000 visitors
per year)
The historic centre, spred over 250ha, is the largest in
Spain.
Toledo is also famous for th special sword
steel,damascening, embroideries, ceramcs, marzipan cakes
and gastronomy.
