"Toledo - Tulaytula - Toletum" a Toledo Travel Page by MM212

Toledo has been existence since Roman times, known then as Toletum, though it gained importance only after the Visigoths made it their capital in the 6th century. Arab conquerors later also made Tulaytula their capital and introduced religious tolerance. It was during this time that all three religions, Moslem, Jewish and Christian, thrived. This co-existence and tolerance continued through the Christian conquest of the city, but slowly eroded leading up to the final explusion of Moslems and Jews from the whole Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century. Five centuries later, Toledo's cultural/religious melting pot is evident everywhere, including churches and synagogues, which exhibit an unmistakable Islamic architectural influence.

The old city sits strategically on top of a hill. Its narrow, hilly, meandering streets have made it impossible for modern car traffic to penetrate and therefore, the city remains as it has for centuries. Toledo makes an excellent day trip from Madrid, but one day is certainly not enough to explore every historic building and museum. Hotels (and restaurants) are abundant for those who wish to stay longer.