Jewish Heritage Of Toledo By High-Speed Train

Jewish Heritage Of Toledo By High-Speed Train Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

To experience the Jewish heritage of Madrid, you must go to Toledo, a magical city.

When you visit Toledo, you see why three of the world's major religions - Christianity, Islam and Judaism - and the cultures they represented were able to exist so successfully. There was simply no room to expand and so accommodation and tolerance became the means of survival.

Toledo's proximity to Madrid makes it a classic daytrip destination and one that you will not regret. Your licensed guide will meet you at your hotel and taxi with you to the train station. Your high-speed train ride is only 30 minutes and delightful. Your guide will feed you the background during your ride and when you arrive at Toledo, definitely one of Spain's great historic cities, you will be short of breath to see this city perched on a hilltop and almost encircled by the Tajo River.

Most notably is the fact that the Greek painter El Greco lived and worked in Toledo until his death in 1614 and he left an overwhelming pictorial legacy. Located in the heart of the Jewish quarter, the so-called El Greco House belonged to Leví, treasurer to King Pedro I of Castile, and later to the Marquis de Villena, and El Greco lived there for period of time during which he was prolific. The museum houses his works as well as those from the Toledo, Madrid and Seville schools of the 17th century, with artists such as Luis Tristán (a disciple of El Greco), Zurbarán, Carreño, Murillo, and Valdés Leal.

Among the sites you will visit is the Monasterior de San Juan de los Reyes, a flamboyant Gothic structure honoring the medieval coexistence of three cultures. The Sinagoga del Tránsito was one of the synagogues finally closed in 1494 after Jews were expelled from Spain. It became a hospital and church but is now the Nuseo Sefardí, now restored and displaying Jewish traditions and history of the Sephardic Jews.

The Sinagoga de Santa María la Blanca, a second synagogue, has been immaculately restored though devoid of any exhibits or furnishing. It is an incredible contrast visiting both. These are a few of many stops that will highlight your visit to this multicultural city.

The most satisfying way to see Toledo is on foot and you should be prepared to enjoy the medieval streets and all they offer in this manner.

- Your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby and take the taxi with you to the train station. You will be accompanied the whole time. However, please note that you will need to pay the cost of the taxi (guide does not pay) from your hotel to the train station (and vice versa on the return). The cost of the taxi is approximately 25 € each way for up to 4 passengers (guide is one of these passengers). If you have more than 3 people in your party, expect to pay for more than 1 taxi.
- Train tickets are reserved but paid on-site at the station. They are approximately 20 €.
- Please note that the price of this tour does not include admissions, food, beverages, or gratuities.
- Please wear comfortable shoes. Flat soles are recommended on the cobbled street surfaces.

- There are additional fees for service on Sunday and holidays. We will inform you of the amount before confirming your tour. On Mondays most museums as well as the synagogue are closed. There may be certain sites closed on other days of the week.
- Once your booking is confirmed, the train ticket portion will be reserved and non-refundable. The remainder of your tour is refundable up to 2 weeks before the tour date.

Days offered: 7 days a week

Departures:

• 09:00 AM, duration: 6 hours Length is dependent on location of hotel. Departure time may be adjusted to meet train schedule.