Toledo’s old town is a treasure chest of churches, museums, synagogues and mosques set in a labyrinth of narrow streets, plazas and interior courtyards. We spent the day here, visiting the Cathedral and the Mujedar and Renaissance buildings, the Sinagoga del Transito, the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes.Unfortunately it’s another rainy day but we made the most of it.  When it rained we made sure we were inside. Our first stop was the Parador of Toledo, located across the river Tagus with incredible views of the city.

The ancient walls of the city depict the Moorish architecture, one of the many different cultures visible in this city. Our first stop was the mosque and leading into the doorway you can see an ancient Roman pathway.  This structure was a mosque and later turned into a church.

We continued our stroll uphill along the narrow, winding, cobblestone streets admiring the architecture depicting the various cultures that made this city what it is. Dating back to 711 AD with Romans, then Visigoth, Moors and Christians. Toledo is the religious capital of Spain.

Our next stop was the impressive Gothic Cathedral was built over a mosque, which was built on a Visigoth cathedral which was built on on a Roman foundation..  The structure is quite austere from the outside and incredibly opulent inside with magnificent stained glassed windows, alters covered in gold, intricate wood carvings, beautiful frescoes on the walls and ceilings and exquisite art work from the Spanish masters.

It was pouring rain when we exited the cathedral. We joined the masses and quickly made our way down from the city centre and took cover in a charming restaurant. The lunch was delicious and they served baked Alaska for dessert.  When we left the restaurant the rain had ended and the sun was trying to peek through the clouds.  We headed back up the hilly windy streets to continue discovering the ancient city. Our last stop was the impressive Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, the 15th-century Franciscan monastery and  church.

Dinner this evening was at Casa Botin, the oldest restaurant in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. The meal was delicious and the Spanish wine fabulous.