Holy Toledo!!

Toledo is known as the "The City of Three Cultures" because it has been influenced by Christians, Jews, and Muslims throughout history. Toledo was the original capital of Spain. This was because it was well protected from invaders by the surrounding terrain including the very famous Tajo River. Toledo is no longer the capital because King Phillip II felt the church was becoming too powerful, so he separated the church and state by moving the capital to Madrid in 1561. Today Toledo is still the holy capital of Spain. This is where the saying "Holy Toledo" comes from.

Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes was built in in 1477-1504. This was monastery was founded by King Ferdinand in celebration of victory in the battle of Toro and also the birth of his and Queen Isabella's son Prince John.  

The chains hanging from the monastery are from the Christian prisoners freed after the Conquest of Granada and the fall of the last Muslim leader in Spain. 

Toledo is what I pictured every Spanish city looking like. Even the streets are lovely and quaint. 

Street Performers are a normal sight in Spain and are usually amazing at what they do. 

The Catedral Primada Santa María de Toledo is the most famous building in Toledo. The groundbreaking on the cathedral was in 1227 and it was completed in 1493. 

The clock in the cathedral is very famous not for what is has but for what it doesn't. It is lacking the minute hand because while you are in mass the minutes don't matter. The service will continue until it is done. 

The inside of the Cathedral is gorgeous, but I couldn't imagine going to mass there it would be much too distracting. There stained glass windows around the whole church, as well as masterpieces by famous artists, such as El Greco, and sculptures everywhere.

These are only 2 of the 37 pipe organs that are in Catedral Primada Santa María de Toledo. The pipe organ below is the Pipe Organ of the Emperor  It use to only be used when important ceremonies were taking place. These organs are both Spanish pipe organs which means instead of the pipes going straight up they actually point towards the audience and the person playing the organ. 

This is the city hall building. All the architecture in Toledo has a roman influence and it is very apparent with this very important building.

Most amazing view from inside Toledo walls. I'll have you know that I only waited 17 minutes to get a shot with no people whatsoever in it.