THE THREE C U LT U R E S OF TOLEDO
COMENIUS Toledo has always been known as the City of Three Cultures, with the coexistence of Jews, Muslims and Christians. In the city there were areas with more influence of each of them.
Edited by Delia Blรกzquez Cedenilla Adriana Apetrei
CHRISTIANS Christianity appeared in Toledo in the fourth century, and it stayed in the city since then. In the seventeenth century there were nearly seventy ecclesiastical buildings such as schools, hospitals or chapels.
ARABS The urban structure of Toledo is Arabic, with narrow streets. There were 12 mosques, which accommodated only the male inhabitants of the city. The Alcázar and the current Museum of Santa Cruz are part of the Arabic heritage, and they were used to separate the citadel from the rest of the city. The most common Arab structures were the use of brick, masonry, arches, the wooden ceilings and rich plasterwork, used in all types of buildings. Some constructions such as the Alfonso VI doors or the Vado have Arab structures.
Iglesia de las Santas Justa y Rufina
The oldest churches as la iglesia de las Santas Justa y Rufina, were remodeled several times, according to the needs of their patrons. After the nineteenth century, many of these buildings started to have civilian uses, private or administrative.
JEWS
The Jewish part of Toledo has only two synagogues nowadays, meanwhile there were a total of ten in the past. They were in the neighborhood called the Jewish Quarter, which goes from St. Martin in the vicinity of the Puerta del Cambron to the remains of defensive constructions above the Puente de San Martín called the Castle of Jews. It included the Jewish Gate, the Commercial street or the Alcanáa. Trade was one of the main activities of the Jews, who lived above their shops and workshops.