Spain - Toledo - Explore the Ancient City's History [Old Town + Cathedral + Royal Monastery]

▲ The Old Town of Toledo is located in the province of Toledo, within the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. It is a historic city renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

▲ This is a place where civilizations of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism converge, renowned as the "City of Three Cultures."

▲ The ancient city boasts a diverse array of architectural styles, where Gothic, Mudejar, and Renaissance buildings harmoniously coexist. Strolling through its streets feels like traveling across different historical eras.

▲ The magnificent Cathedral of Toledo, solemn and majestic, boasts exquisite interior decorations; the San Martin Bridge spans the river, with its defensive towers at the bridgehead exuding an ancient and weathered charm.

▲ The Cathedral of Toledo is a church that still retains its medieval style to this day. It is the second-largest cathedral in Spain and was originally the primary cathedral of the Spanish Christian Church's archdiocese.

▲ The main structure of the church features Gothic style, while its interior decoration incorporates artistic elements such as Mudejar, making it a grand architectural complex that blends multiple artistic styles.

▲ The Cathedral of Toledo is the seat of the Spanish Cardinal. Construction of the cathedral began in 1247, adopting the French Gothic architectural style, which was rarely used in Spanish churches at the time. It incorporated local artistic elements such as Mudejar and other regional features, adapting to the local context. Completed in 1493, the cathedral fully embodies the unique Spanish Gothic artistic style in its architecture.

▲ The Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes is located in the heart of Toledo's Jewish Quarter, a historic Franciscan monastery with a long history.

▲ The monastery was originally built to demonstrate the supreme status of the Catholic faith in Spain. The highlight of the monastery is its exquisitely crafted double cloister, where the Islamic carvings are truly worth admiring in detail.

▲ The Franciscan Order is one of the Catholic mendicant orders. Because its members wear gray habits, they are also known as the Gray Friars. The order was founded in 1209 by Francis of Assisi, a wealthy young man from the Italian city of Assisi, with the approval of the Pope.

▲ The Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo was founded in 1476 by King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile as their intended resting place.

▲ However, after the conquest of Granada in 1492, the king and queen changed their original plan and chose to be buried in Granada, even though the monastery construction was nearly completed. Toledo was chosen for the construction because the city is located at the geographical center of Spain and was the former capital of the Visigothic Kingdom.