It’s hard to believe how much beauty and history can be packed into one place, but that’s exactly what Toledo was. My study abroad experience in Spain is something I’ll remember and talk about for the rest of my life. With that in mind, I can confidently say that Toledo was one of the top highlights of this trip, at least for me. I’ve genuinely been looking forward to sharing how this day went.
The day began early. After a quick breakfast at our hotel, Hotel Regina, the group gathered and left around 9:30 AM. We got on the bus for what turned out to be a smooth, one-hour ride from Madrid to Toledo. The first thing I noticed as we were driving out of Madrid and approaching Toledo was the change in landscape, from the big city vibes with its distinct architecture to Toledo with its beautiful scenery. Toledo’s landscape was like nothing I’d ever seen before. Overlooking the Tajo River, the terrain is hilly and rocky. The architecture is among the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. It features a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, Moorish, and Jewish styles.
March in Spain can be an interesting time when it comes to the weather. You quickly learn that Spain has bipolar weather, and it’s never predictable. That day, visiting Toledo, we were incredibly lucky. It was cloudy, but luckily there was no rain. The clouds only added to the beauty of the place and made the trip even more memorable.
Our first major stop was at the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes. We honestly had one of the best tour guides. She explained the history of the monastery and answered all the questions we had. She pointed out some of the symbolism in the artwork found in the amazing Gothic structure, which was ordered to be built by the Catholic Monarchs. This monastery is home to a few Franciscan monks. Sitting there, you feel a sense of peace that allows you to slow down, pause, and reflect. One of my favorite parts of the monastery was the garden in its heart, which added so much charm to the place.
From there, our tour guide walked us through the city’s aesthetically pleasing streets. Toledo’s layout felt like a maze, but that’s part of its beauty. The narrow alleys and unexpected turns revealed something new about the city. I was especially impressed by how cars were squeezing their way through the streets, even with our large group walking they still found a way to get through.
Walking through these narrow streets led us to our next destination: the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo. As we approached the cathedral, I found myself in awe. Without realizing it, I had drifted away from the group as I stopped to take pictures of the breathtaking building. This cathedral is similar to the Monastery of San Juan in that it also features French Gothic architecture. During our guided tour, I learned that the cathedral was once used as a mosque. It was hard to wrap my head around how massive the interior was and how detailed the artwork was that made the place what it is.
The main chapel was easily one of the highlights of the cathedral. Looking at it, you can see that the back of the altar is divided into two panels and five rows, and it is finished with a beautiful crucifix. To finish the tour, we walked through the Sacristy, which was adorned with incredible artwork, especially the painting of St. Mary on the ceiling of the room. The space was also filled with other paintings such as: Christ, St. Peter, St. Paul, and more.
To finish the day in Toledo, a few of us decided to make our way to Terraza del Miradero, a rooftop restaurant that offers stunning views of the city. We never expected lunch to be another highlight of the day, but it truly was. Getting there was quite the workout, we faced what the group called the “never-ending staircase.” We couldn’t help but laugh as we climbed higher and higher. On the way, of course, we had to stop for some photos to look back on and reminisce about later. Enjoying the food alongside the view made the experience all the more worth it.
Finally, we walked around a bit more, soaking in the last views of Toledo, taking pictures to remember the day, and then made our way back to the bus for the ride back to Madrid.