these decorative tiles must have seen lots of feet
the synagogue was designed by Moorish architects
one of the old buildings
the Puerta Del Cambron
the Virgin Mary in the backside of the tower
El Greco's San Bernardino de Siena dates from 1603
the El Greco house is a restored 16th century building
the El Greco museum opened in 1911
entrance to the Santa Maria la Blanca museum which is actually an old synagogue
Toledo's old Jewish Quarter the Juderia
Jews have lived in Toledo since Roman times. When the
Arian Visigoths took control in the 5th century they tolerated the jews.
But after
King Reccared I converted to Catholicism in 587 anti Jewish rules were issued. Over time the oppression grew so
the Jews shed no tears when the moderate Moors took Toledo in 712.
Under Moorish rule the Jewish community florished.
Tolerance continued after the
Reconquesta untill a bloodbath in early 13th century. These events continued In the following centuries.
In 1492 the Jews were
expelled from Spain.
The Juderia still shows many buildings and inscriptions that remind of the rich Jewish
history here.
A must see in the Juderia is the
El Greco museum. Do not miss his painting
of 16th
century Toledo.
We visited the Juderia in May 2016.
entrance to the Juderia is via the 15th century's Puente de San Martin
the northern gate shows the double headed eagle of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V
the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes
the horseshoe arches with Mudéjar decorations
El Greco painted the View and Plan of Toledo around 1610
the Sinagoga del Transito
