Toledo train station by Chic n Cheap Living

CnC Living Travel Log: Spanish Architecture, swords, and 24k gold jewelry – a walking tour of Toledo, Spain

March 3, 2010

Another travel report, but this time there is also a surprise at the end!

We departed Madrid from Atocha station, which is a gorgeous space filled with sweeping palm trees in the center.

You can buy tickets at the station or online, but get there early because they won’t allow you to board 10 minutes prior to departure.  Sigh, yes we did end up sitting around for 2 hours and buying tickets for the next train.  But it was a good chance to read and snack on our sandwiches.

Toledo is a short 30 minute ride from Madrid and perfect for a day trip.  This lovely city was Spain’s capital until the 16th century.  Its buildings represent almost all the different stages of Spanish art from Moorish to Gothic to Renaissance.

We pulled into the Toledo train station which is also gorgeous and made our way into town with the help of a really basic map (we did end up buying a more detailed one in town later because there are so many small streets!) and la policia.

Toledo train station by Chic n Cheap LivingThe train station is about a 15 minute walk from the Alcazar fort.  This was originally a Roman fort that was later used by the Moors and most recently by Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War.  It also contains a Spanish military museum and a Museum of Knives and Swords.
From there, ascend the fort via the stairs or escalators to the main part of town (of course we didn’t find the escalators until after we climbed the stairs, they are towards the right side of the castle).  Mr. Gadget was not amused by the number of stairs.
Toledo stairs by Chic n Cheap Living
From Alcazar, it is a short way to Plaza Zocodover – a good place to take a break on your way to other sites and a short walk from some sweet treat shops.
Toledo taffy by Chic n Cheap Living
We headed to the main Cathedral – built from 1221 – 1732!  It is in the Gothic style and requires a 7 Euro fee to enter the Sacristy.  The Sacristy houses quite a few highlights including an art gallery with El Greco’s “Denuding of Christ”, a Baroque alterpiece, and alabaster figures from the Old Testament.  Breathtaking (this was near the ceiling).
If you want to shop for something, Toledo is known for two things: swords and 24k gold damasquino jewelry or plates.  Toledo specializes in making medieval, historical, and replica swords.

Toledo knights and swords by Chic n Cheap Living

In addition, they are known for damasquino work, the art of decorating non-precious metals with gold – you see this mostly with plates and jewelry.  It was used in the Middle Ages and originates from artisan work done in Damascus, Syria.  Cuts are used to create patterns – the patterns are either Arabesque (more geometric) or Renaissance.  Then these patterns are filled with 24k gold.  Each piece undergoes oxidation providing a black background with the gold pattern.
So I picked up a few pairs of earrings and am giving one pair away!  I thought it would be a nice way for you to know Toledo as well.  Details will be coming in a post later today!
little luxury list

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  • PartyPlannerGal March 3, 2010 at 14:56

    Wow, look at those sweets! I love Spanish architecture, and I’m so excited for your giveaway!!!

  • Pop Champagne March 3, 2010 at 15:29

    I love the archetecture. Spain looks amazing, and that chess set looks beautiful! hope you’re having a great time there 🙂

  • Kristin March 3, 2010 at 15:37

    You sure have me wanting to plan a Euro vacay. If only that were in the cards right now. Sigh. Can’t wait to see the giveaway dets!

  • Chocolate Lover March 3, 2010 at 18:46

    You are making me want to travel with all your wonderful pictures and stories!

  • honey my heart March 3, 2010 at 18:58

    the buildings and architecture are so beautiful.

  • nookie March 3, 2010 at 19:18

    Beautiful place!

  • English Rose ♥ March 3, 2010 at 19:41

    Gosh what a beautiful station!! Looks so beautiful!

    Thanks so much for stopping by darling, i’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s parents, I can’t imagine his pain but at least you got through it and he has you =]

    Stay safe and chic ma chérie,
    English Rose x
    http://iamanenglishrose.blogspot.com

  • THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE March 3, 2010 at 20:21

    oh my those train stations are gorgeous! and i’m totally loving those damasquino plates…they’re so interesting. and what a great giveaway!

  • Sarah Ann March 3, 2010 at 20:33

    Wow. Those pictures are breathtaking. And I LOVE the idea of those palms in the middle of the train station.

  • very married March 3, 2010 at 21:32

    I went to Toledo once and some of my friends in the group bought swords there. When we flew back to the states, they put the swords in their checked bags. That resulted in a giant rip in their luggage and in MINE. sooo annoying.

  • Diana March 3, 2010 at 21:36

    This looks like such a beautiful vacation! Your photos of the plates are great. It is a pain to wait, but I bet it was so worth it!

  • drollgirl March 3, 2010 at 21:40

    wah!! i want to go to spain!! and the damasquino works? HOLYMOLY how i want them! gorgeous!!!

  • Jbreezybaby March 4, 2010 at 01:13

    woah.. the fort looks big! I want to visit in those kind of places in the future! my mom loves taking pictures inside of a cathedral so i think she will prolly love spain! amazing pics!

    yes, i hope the cetaphil works for me!i remember i just use water and a cleanser and thats pretty much my routine and i had good skin with a once in a blue moon acne. ever since getting into the makeup craze, it just really gotten worse 🙁 so yes, i miss those days when i just go out not having to worry bout putting foundation just for the sake of covering my imperfections :/

  • bananas. March 4, 2010 at 02:58

    i can’t get over how nice that train station is…it’s absolutely stunning! the whole town is actually. how fun!

  • SogniSorrisi March 4, 2010 at 16:35

    What lovely photos. Love the seventh one especially.

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