Why Toledo is the city of three cultures

Historical sites are in abundance in Europe. Yes, the US has its history, but our country is still pretty young. Compared to other places globally, our history is still in its infancy, with many countries' history effortlessly going back millenniums and the US only almost two and a half centuries old. One of my favorite countries in the world is Spain, with its beautiful cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Toledo. While Madrid is currently my home, Toledo holds its unique beauty and sometimes bloody history.

Located southwest of Madrid, Toledo is only a short 30 minutes on the High-Speed Railway or the AVE, as the locals say, from Madrid. Known as the "City of Three Cultures," Toledo's unique fusion has been home to Christian, Arabian, and Judaism believers living together there for Centuries; its walls preserving a cultural legacy among churches and palaces, fortresses, mosques, and synagogues.

Today, Toledo is considered the most representative of Spanish culture and historical significance that it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO back in 1986. With winding roads, steep paths, and steps, it is not hard to be engrossed in the history carved into the city's very lifeblood, parts of which date back to Roman and Moorish times. Between the medieval castle of San Servando, Spanish Gothic cathedrals, buildings showing Islamic influence such as the former mosques of Bib-al-Mardom, and El Tránsito synagogue that houses the Sephardic Museum, history is abundant as soon as you walk through the well-preserved gateways of various periods.

The city was the residence of the Visigothic court in the 6th century and site of the famous councils. It became the most important political and social center of Castile during the reign of King Alfonso VI in 1085. Though its political importance declined after Philip II moved his court to Madrid, making it the capital in 1560, Toledo still held military significance such as the most heroic tales of the Spanish Civil War and still houses the modern Military Academy of Infantry that provides training for the Spanish Army.

It is also the home of Toledan steel, which has long been famous as high quality, mentioned as early as the 1st century BCE, particularly their swords—used mostly in crafting weapons for armies during the 16th-19th centuries, who needed a weapon that was both hard and flexible. The Toledo sword was this weapon becoming known for its strength and durability, and the most sought after weapon for Europeans in this time. Though history has changed weaponry, Toledo steel's popularity has not, and you can still find many crafters selling them in their storefronts.

Between tours of the exhibits, shopping, and tasty cuisine, you will never run out of things to do. Even though I was only there for a day, I still took in three exhibits, including Leonardo Di Vinci, Ancient weapons of torture used in the Spanish Inquisition, and the Templars History within the city. But even with these exhibits, I still caught lunch and took in the sight of the great architecture in the form of beautiful buildings and cathedrals. For more photos and videos, be sure to check my Facebook here or my blog here.

I ended my time at this historical city with some drinks on a rooftop terrace as a full moon rose in the sky; Not a terrible way to end my day in such a historic place. If you are looking for a beautiful place to walk through that mixes both natural and human-made structures, then Toledo should be on your must-see list. With a marzipan shop around every corner and authentic steel weaponry and armor in every window, you can't turn your head any one way without taking in the diversity, art, and culture that fills the city of Toledo.