Toledo

     Monday we ventured to Toledo to explore more of the historical sights Spain has to offer. The city is about an hour outside of Madrid and as the original capital of Spain, it has a rich collection of history. The town is set up much like a fortress. A river protects 3 sides with a wall protecting the 4th side. It is obvious upon arrival that much of the cities architecture and layout stems from the Middle Ages. We went up six escalators in order to get up to the highest point in the city. Our tour guide was born and raised in Toledo and was able to give us insight into what it’s like to live there. Following our guided tour we had a chance to wander the narrow streets of the city. The town is known for its handmade gold plated jewelry, plates, and swords. This was an amazing thing to witness because we saw all the constant care and effort it takes to make such beautiful objects. We enjoyed shopping there and many of us purchased some pieces of this gorgeous jewelry. We enjoyed delicious Spanish food, gelato, and shopping while wandering the streets. We took lots of pictures throughout the trip and Toledo was no exception. With the awesome scenery and multiple churches, we were able to capture a little bit of the beautiful city. It was a memorable experience and the stunning views of the Cathedral and mountains only made it better. After our afternoon in Toledo we returned to Madrid for dinner where we observed a Catholic celebration honoring the Virgin Mary. Upwards of a thousand people were gathered in the streets just outside the city center. After an exciting day in Madrid and Toledo we returned to our hotel to rest up for our final day's activities. 

-Maddy Esther ‘14 and Sarah DiLella ‘14