Day 4: Toledo

Travis was pretty excited to take me to Toledo. Another city just an hour away from Madrid, and another city that was completely amazing. I was awestruck with so much history in one city. Toledo was at one point the capital of Spain and during the 13th century was one of the few places where Moors, Christians, and Jews could live together semi-peacefully which makes the architecture and history of the city very unique and rich. We were able to see many churches, synagogues, and mosques while there. While doing a little research on the city, most people would say that Toledo is one of the most amazing cities in Europe.

We decided to walk up to the city, and I'm so glad we did because we were able to walk along the city wall.

Yes, the old city is still surrounded by a city wall. And it was beautiful to see.



When we reached the top we went right through the City gate.


And once through the gate you are brought back in time. Breathtaking.


Every single turn you take in Toledo you find some eye candy. I just walked around with my jaw dropped open at the beauty of this city.
If the streets in Segovia are narrow, then the streets in Toledo shouldn't really be called streets. The cities pathways are crooked, and I found myself turned around very easily there. You can go from ally to ally and you may only be seeing people's homes, they are still just stunning. I loved being there because Travis and I would be in an ally all alone, strolling, and then all the sudden we'd run into another ally full of people, with a gorgeous church in the middle. It was just really, really cool.
A cathedral on the streets in Toledo.

I wish I would have taken a picture of the signs in front of the buildings so I could remember what they all are....
The City Hall, 16th Century.
Toledo Cathedral,1226.






Walking towards the bridge in Toledo, T under the keystone.

The bridge in Toledo spans the Tagus river and was built by Romans after they founded the city. Back in the middle ages is was one of the only ways to enter the city. It still has defensive towers on each end.
The door on one of the towers at the end of the bridge. The book nerd in me could totally picture slamming the huge door down when invaders would try to come to the city. (I should really stop showing you all how completely and totally nerdy I am.)
View from the bridge.
The other end of the bridge. Notice the gate doors that can be slammed shut. Beyond the bridge lies the Castillo de San Servando, a castle we would have liked to have gone in, but weren't sure how to get over there and inside.
A view of another really old bridge, from the really old bridge we were standing on...
View of the cit from the bridge.

Love birds. And if you haven't noticed yet, I didn't do my hair once on the trip. And I'm quite aware that I look like scum.
This is the bridge we were standing on moments before, it's beautiful don't you think?
After the bridge we shopped in the city for a while. Toledo is famous for making swords and also for making the lladro figurines. We browsed, ate in the plaza, and said goodbye to this amazing city.
That night back in Madrid we went for a stroll in the Banco de Espana area. This part of the city was by far my favorite part of Madrid that we went to. It was gorgeous at night, and very quiet. The buildings there are all just amazing to see, and lit up in all their glory. There is also a really cool fountain in the center of the road here of a Greek goddess being pulled by 2 lions. The artist forgot to put reins on the sculpture when he was done, and they killed him. Crazy! It was a very nice way to end a very, very good day.
Tomorrow: El Escorial

Day 3: Segovia

Segovia.
The name itself is beautiful, don't you think?
And the city lives up to it's beautiful name. I was in complete awe the entire time we were there, and Travis just kept saying "I knew you'd love it here." And he was right, I'm in love with this beautiful city.

The bus dropped us off at the base of the city where you can get a view of the amazing Roman Aqueduct that runs the stretch of the city. Um, researchers have placed the date of construction for the Aqueduct sometime in the second half of the first century, or the first half of the second century.

Holy Moly.

(From Wikepedia)
The aqueduct is built of unmortared, brick-like granite blocks. During the Roman era, each of the three tallest arches displayed a sign in bronze letters, indicating the name of its builder along with the date of construction. Today, two niches are still visible, one on each side of the aqueduct. One of them is known to have held the image of Hercules, who according to legend was founder of the city. The other niche now contains the images of the Virgen de la Fuencisla (the Patroness of Segovia) and Saint Stephen.







After getting a glimpse of the Aqueduct and seeing the base of the city, we started climbing the crooked, narrow, cobblestone streets.


After a little ways you get to a spot that looks over the city. I felt totally taken back in time. It's just gorgeous here.




Then kept hiking. The city is just uphill all the way, with old ally ways everywhere you turn. You are easily taken back in time when you are there. I could picture horses climbing up the narrow ally ways and people selling there market goods on the streets. I know, I'm such a geek.



After the climb to the top, the space is opened up to the cities Plaza Mayor, and the Segovia Cathedral. This cathedral is probably the most beautiful building I've ever seen. (Built between 1525 and 1577). Lovely.
I loved Segovia because at the base seeing the Aqueduct you think, "This is the coolest thing I've ever seen." Then you go a ways further and see the amazing streets and old buildings and again think "This is the coolest place I've ever seen." Then you see the cathedral and think it again. But then, you keep going even higher....
And run into the Alcazar of Segovia. No big deal, just a freaking castle. And again you say "This is the coolest thing I've ever seen!"
(This pic stole from the web)
The beginnings of this castle were in 1120, and from then it just got added on and rebuilt. This is where Christopher Columbus got his money from the King and Queen of Spain for his voyage. Walt Disney used this castle as part of his inspiration for the Cinderella castle. (The diva's loved that fact).

The dry mote around the castle. I couldn't believe how deep it was.
The throne room. I have a bunch of pictures of the inside of the castle, but they are dark so I wont bore you with them. But the inside of the castle was seriously amazing. Each ceiling had a very intricate design, some done in gold. The tapestry's were hundreds of years old and just stunning. I was in awe the entire time we were there.
The view from one of the balconies. Gorgeous gardens.
The courtyard.
We went clear down to the bottom of the castle to the cellar where people had thrown change down and made a wish. So of course, I did too.
Next we headed up to the Tower of Juan II. 152 very narrow, winding stairs to the top of the tower.
Me just before heading up the tower. This is about the time that I used the common phrase "Why am I not a Queen?".
About 1/5 of the way up you get to go out to a balcony and get a view of one of the spheres.
What cancer?
Half way there. Yes, we look dead sexy here.
But totally worth it once you get to the top. It was just a beautiful view.
Love my handsome man.


After the castle we headed back down to the Plaza Mayor where we indulged in yet another pastry (stop judging) and a Coca Cola light. YUM.
And then made the sad trek away from this amazing city.


That night back in Madrid we opted for a traditional dinner of Paella. (Mine is vegetarian on the left and Trav's is chicken on the right). It was really, really delicious. And I'm still mad we didn't buy some saffron while we were there!
Tomorrow: Toledo.