This place has a huge variety of swords, knives and quality stainless steel hand made objects.. and cheese... and tapestries.. and baths.

 I seem to remember that Toledo seemed to have two halves.  The crowded one where people lived and the big, emptier one where the hundred and one monasteries, nunneries and places of ecclesiastical power lurked - and in some cases - had been adapted.  Anywhere else the grand buildings would stand proud and free. Here it seems they are being slowly herded and nudged out of the way.

The Alcazar de Toledo - wherein the military museum lives - dominates the city with its bulk and brooding presence.  As it was a Fasc hold during the Civil War the dark tower similarities work well.  The site had been a Roman Palace. In the 10th century it was turned into a fortress, during the reign of Caliph Abd ar-Rahman III.  Almost 40,000 people give it 4.6 stars, so who are we to quibble.  Two hours ago Isaac opined ‘Very well maintained. Quite spacious. Helpful staff. We were impressed.’

From military to the church militant. We are going to edge round Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Santa Maria. The cathedral was begun in 1226, under the rule of Ferdinand III and is terribly Gothic. The last bits, the vaults of the central nave, were tucked in during 1493.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo_Cathedral There is too much to say so look at the link.  Over 38k people have come to this lush land of gold embellished altars. They give it 4.7 stars. 

Two months ago Cuna said Toledo Cathedral is one of the city’s most important landmarks and definitely worth visiting, especially if you are interested in history, architecture, and religious art.

The cathedral is large and very impressive, with classic Gothic architecture, high vaulted ceilings, and detailed interiors. Inside, there is a wide collection of chapels, paintings, sculptures, and religious artifacts. It’s the kind of place where you can take your time and keep noticing new details as you walk through.

Some highlights include the main altar, the choir area, and the sacristy, which houses notable works of art. The craftsmanship throughout the cathedral is remarkable and reflects its historical and religious significance.

A few practical points to keep in mind:

• Allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours for your visit if you want to see the main sections without rushing.

• It can get crowded, especially during peak tourist hours, so visiting earlier in the day is a better option.

• The layout is quite extensive, so it helps to follow a map or audio guide to avoid missing key areas.

• As it is an active place of worship, dress and behavior should be respectful.

Overall, Toledo Cathedral offers a meaningful and worthwhile experience. It may not feel overwhelming at first glance, but the depth of detail and history becomes more apparent the more time you spend inside. 

Opposite the cathedral is a cheese museum and who can not be tempted.  https://www.museodelquesomanchego.com/ This is one of those shops with a museum rather than a museum with a shop.  The website is pretty.  It has pretty cheese and is pretty uninformative about the prices. Five months ago Heidi was happy. ‘Fantastic experience! Highly recommend. They are super friendly and welcoming! The museum is cute and informative and free and you can order the cheese and wine plates with different aged wine. You get to try different cured levels and the wine was delicious! One of my favorite memories in Toledo ‘

The trouble is with Toledo you need at least five days and if not a lifetime. On we go to the Museo de Tapices y Textiles de la Catedral de Toledo.  https://www.catedralprimada.es/  Atalia reckoned ‘Wonderful museum! Had no idea it existed until we got to Toledo and learned of its existence from a local. Highly highly recommend visiting! And it's only €2.80 per person.’

Stumbling out of those we come across the Arab Baths.  Idiomas y Viajes opined ‘The Baño del Cenizal was spectacular, and we also visited the Baño del Ángel. You can see the remains of Arab baths in Toledo, now covered by modern buildings. One of Toledo's wonders is its hidden, subterranean side. This tour can only be done with the Toledo Consortium; they are free, and the excellent guide explained everything with great expertise and dedication. They also offered us a tour of the Roman baths, which is also free. Tours are scheduled at specific times, and you need to sign up. If you go to Toledo, try to visit these lesser-known sites; they are a treasure of the city. ‘   You need to book in advance so don’t be disappointed.

Let us do a gift shop. I like gift shops. The tackier the better. Actually, no.  A shop with a huge range of stuff, including mugs, fridge magnets and something artisanal that was made in china. Look, I have a DDR mug from Berlin. It was one of millions which have been made. I doubt it has any connection to the authentic Communism of the East of Germany but it holds the memories of a weekend wandering round the city where East met West, lacking sleep and swirling in the sleet. It also holds coffee.

Les Trouvailles de Tolède is a 4.9 star gift shop - so I doubt it will be one of those places that has so many tourist sharp things, knives, letter openers and the like, that you could equip a small army.  https://lestrouvaillesdetolede.com/  It does do a paint your own fan set for 10 euros and Peter liked it. ‘Beautiful store with run by a lovely couple who were very helpful. It's a great place for gift shopping - we got some handmade porcelain - and the prices are also fair. I hope this store keeps thriving! ‘

We end the day at the Centro Historico de Toledo. I was going to end it there then I looked round the coorner and saw the Toledo swords and knives gift shop so popped it. It identifies a woman-owned.  Robert liked it. ‘This place has a huge variety of swords, knives and quality stainless steel hand made objects. The prices are very good and the customer service is excellent. I asked to customs make an item and they took all my info to Hebe the local craftsman contact me directly! ‘

More tomorrow.