Toledo - Purple Roofs

If you’re visiting in summer, Monasterio San Juan de los Reyes is a heavenly refuge in Toledo from the searing heat outside. After walking for a long time, I finally found this monastery in the middle of a neighbourhood that used to be predominantly Jewish.

And as soon as I entered the premises, I felt better.

Monasterio San Juan de los Reyes (Monastery of Saint John of the Monarchs) was built by the monarchs, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand II. They built it to honour the birth of their son, Prince John and to celebrate their triumphant success of the Battle of Toro.

Perhaps, to show dominance over the Jewish, the monarchs intended to build the monastery here. In fact, few steps from here, you’ll find the Sinagoga del Transito – which you must visit, too.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

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Just like the rest of the cities of Spain, Toledo also presents a conundrum of Roman, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim architecture, which actually tells the stories of the confluence of these cultures resulting from the respective conquests. The entire day I spent in the city had me gawking at the magnificence of the ancient structures standing tall in the myriads of small buildings along cobblestoned alleys.

Here’s where I managed to take my art-thirsty self.

1. The Alcazar

Alcazar means a fortress. Like other Alcazars in nearly every city of the country, this one, too, speaks (rather cry) of its mixed history. This is the highest point of the city; and therefore, it provides a view that simply stays in the eyes forever.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Castille La Mancia Gay Travel Resources

The Monasterio San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo – Keep Calm and Wander

A Day in Toledo, Spain – Keep Calm and Wander