7 minute read
TOLEDO THE CITY OF THREE CULTURES, OLÉ!
By Eduardo Houellemont
We Dominicans, we love Spain. Its proximity within Europe to us, Spanish language is spoken here, its culture, its delicious food and its friendly people. Madrid is its vibrant capital, located right in the middle of the country; all flights to Spain must land in Madrid first. Many decide to dedicate their vacations to this city that undoubtedly has so much to offer, although our today´s recommendation is to make space in your itinerary and visit the wonderful city of Toledo on a day trip, which was at some point in history, also the capital of Spain. .
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This city is approximately 1 hour away from Madrid and can be reached by car, by train or by bus. It’s not difficult at all to get there, it doesn´t require lots of preparations. Our best recommendation is to leave at mid-morning from Atocha train station by high-speed train that arrives in just 33 minutes.
History
Toledo is located on a steep rock surrounded by the Tajo River, which gave it a strategic defensive position and which today offers us spectacular views. City´s origin dates back to the Bronze Age, until the Roman Empire conquered it in 192 BC. Numerous archaeological remains scattered throughout the city remain from that time, including hot springs, sidewalks and aqueducts.
The Romans were the first to give it the name of Toletum, whose meaning would come to be raised or raised Land. The next ones to occupy the city were the Visigoths, in the 6th century, when King Leovigildo decided to establish the capital of his empire here. After the Visigoths it passed into the hands of the Muslims, who gave it the appearance we see today with narrow and steep streets, many of them dead ends.
In the 9th century, the Christians incorporated the city into the Kingdom of Castilla, and from then on, it became the capital of the Kingdom, a title previously held by the city of Burgos. In the year 1561, King Felipe II decided to transfer the court and the capital to Madrid, with which the city lost much of its political and social weight. Toledo became an almost exclusively convent city, the religious orders occupied the old palaces vacated by the transfer of the court to the new capital.
City Of Three Cultures
As the Jews already resided in Toledo since the time of the Visigoths, when the Christians entered to form it, they created an amalgamation of three cultures. The Muslims (or Moors) occupied Spain for centuries and left a deep mark on the culture and architecture, which are well appreciated here.
Present Time
Today Toledo is the capital of the Autonomous Community of Castilla La Mancha and one of the most visited cities in Spain, due to the large number of historical monuments it preserves. It is also a vacation spot for privileged Spanish people, it is surrounded by ostentatious summer houses, which have the particularity that they must all face the ancient and steep walled city.
What To See In Toledo
Toledo (the historic center) is a museum city, walking through its narrow streets is fascinating and highly satisfying. Next we will name the essential places to see:
1. Toledo Cathedral
The Cathedral of Santa María (like ours), also called the Primate Cathedral of Spain, is one of the most impressive cathedrals in the world and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Toledo.
2. Viewpoint to the Valley (Mirador del Valle)
Going up to the Mirador del Valle to watch the sunset, with fantastic views of the city and the Tajo River, is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Toledo. The views will leave you speechless, they allow you to have the best perspective of some of the most characteristic buildings of the city such as the Alcázar.
3. Synagogue of Santa María La Blanca
The Synagogue of Santa María La Blanca, located in the old Jewish quarter, is one of our favorite places to see in Toledo.
Its sober exterior stands out, contrasting with a beautiful interior with white walls, octagonal pillars and horseshoe arches, which have served as a model for other synagogues around the world.
4. Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes
In Elizabethan Gothic style, this Franciscan building impresses with its two-story cloister full of sculptures and decorative elements, as well as its interior where there is a church with various coats of arms and symbols of the Catholic Monarchs, as well as a beautiful altarpiece. Once the visit to this monastery is over, we advise you to return to the center along Calle Ángel, one of the most beautiful in Toledo.
5. Alcantara Bridge
Crossing the Puente de Alcántara is the most common way to enter or leave the walled city of Toledo, if you arrive by train or bus. This ancient Roman bridge,
Enero, 2023 • Dominican Republic almost 200 meters long, was built over the Tajo River between the years 103 and 104 and is a true wonder of Toledo.
6. The Alcazar
It is a medieval fortress located in the highest part of the city; it is another of the emblematic places that must be seen. Although we believe that visiting the interior is essential if you are only in the city for one day, you have to go to the Alcázar to see its exterior and enter the Library of Castilla-La Mancha, free of charge, with good views of the city and a of the four towers from the top floor, where the cafeteria is.
7. Church of Santo Tome
Another of the most essential places to visit in Toledo is the Church of Santo Tomé, where “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz” is located, one of the great masterpieces of Doménikos Theotokópoulos (El Greco).
Although the church does not stand out above others and you cannot take photos of the painting, it is well worth paying the almost 3 euros that the entrance costs, to enjoy one of the great works of art in the city.
8. Zocodover Square in Toledo
Plaza de Zocodover, the nerve center and main square for many centuries, is one of the places with the most atmosphere to see in Toledo. It is surrounded by buildings of Castilian architecture and has several entrances. The square is a good place to try the typical marzipan in one of the shops that surround it, buy a souvenir or have a drink on a terrace.
9.
Church of the Jesuits
The Church of the Jesuits or San Ildefonso, built in the Baroque style for more than a century, between 1629 and 1765, is another of the buildings that cannot be overlooked. Despite its beauty, this church would not be among the essentials of the city, if it were not for the incredible views it offers of Toledo from its two towers and the passageway that connects them.
10. Puerta de la Bisagra (Hinged Door)
Crossing the Puerta de Bisagra, one of the main entrances to the walled city in medieval times, is another of the best experiences that Toledo offers. Among its elements, the imperial shield of Toledo stands out, with its double-headed eagle and flanked by two large towers.
11. Mosque of Christ of Light
The Mosque is located near the Puerta de Bisagra. This hermitage or church of Cristo de la Luz was built in 999 as a mosque and is considered the best preserved building from the Muslim era in the city.
12. The sheds of Toledo
The sheds, some buildings at a certain height, which served to gain space and communicate two buildings, are one of the unmistakable hallmarks of the historic center of Toledo.
El Carnaval de Punta Cana celebrará su
14ta edición el primer sábado de febrero
Luego de su décimo tercera edición en 2020, vuelven Las Musas de Punta Cana acompañadas de las mejores comparsas a nivel nacional e internacional.
Punta Cana, La Altagracia.- Grupo Puntacana anunció la décimo cuarta edición del Carnaval de Punta Cana, a celebrarse el próximo sábado 4 de febrero de 2023, en el Boulevard 1ro. de noviembre de Puntacana Village.
El gran desfile iniciará a las 3:00 de la tarde con la participación de más de 20 comparsas, más de 1,500 carnavaleros nacionales e internacionales, que festejarán el folclore y la cultura dominicana. Se estima recibir más de 15 mil personas entre nacionales y turistas.
Durante el evento, el público podrá disfrutar de la coronación del Rey o Reina Momo, que constituye la gran sorpresa de la gala del festival, ya que la distinción es otorgada a personalidades nacionales, destacadas e influyentes, que inspiran con su labor a la sociedad dominicana. En ediciones anteriores, han sido coronados como Rey Momo figuras tales como Oscar de La Renta, Marcos Díaz, Michel Camilo, José Antonio Molina, Freddy Ginebra y, más recientemente en 2020, la “Reina del Merengue”, Milly Quezada, fue coronada como la primera Reina Momo en la historia del Carnaval Punta Cana.
El Carnaval de Punta Cana es un evento gratuito al público en general, y contará con tarimas a la venta para quienes deseen adquirir sus boletas en el hotel Four Points by Sheraton Puntacana Village, el Visitor’s Center de Puntacana Resort & Club y en las oficinas de Ventas Inmobiliarias en Galerías Puntacana, Puntacana Village. https://www.puntacana.com/to-do/carnavalpunta-cana
En esta edición habrá música en vivo, food trucks y entretenimiento en un ambiente familiar y seguro.
Para mayor información: 809-959-2714 o visitar @ carnavaldepuntacana.
Sobre El Carnaval De Punta Cana
El Carnaval de Punta Cana es el encuentro más esperado del arte y la cultura en la región Este. La fiesta cultural nació en el año 2008, como una iniciativa de Grupo Puntacana, con el propósito de promover las tradiciones folclóricas de la República Dominicana y de los países invitados, a los miles de visitantes locales y extranjeros.
Entre las comparsas emblemáticas del Carnaval de Punta Cana, están “Las Musas de Punta Cana”, integradas por un grupo de damas de la comunidad, quienes cada año diseñan conjuntamente sus trajes carnavalescos, eligiendo un tema representativo de la cultura dominicana.
Las Musas de Punta Cana son acompañadas por la comparsa del Puntacana International School (PCIS), en la que desfilan estudiantes e integrantes del staff del colegio con ingeniosos trajes de carnaval, simbolizando temas relacionados con el medio ambiente y la cultura del país. También participa la comparsa de Los Tres Caras, los protectores de Las Musas.
La décimo tercera edición del Carnaval de Punta Cana congregó a aproximadamente 22 mil personas, y fue celebrada el en marco de las celebraciones del 50 aniversario de Grupo Puntacana.
