Today we were able to spend a full day touring Toledo! The morning began with the choir singing at the Church of Santa Fe. There was a celebration of the renowned Spanish Renaissance artist, El Greco, going on and their concert was a part of the festivities. After the concert we were given some free time to eat lunch and shop. The afternoon consisted of a walking tour of Toledo where we were able to learn morn information about the Toledo Cathedral we visited yesterday. Another stop of the tour was visiting the Iglesia de Santo Tome where El Greco's masterpiece The Burial of the Count of Orgaz is located. After the tour concluded we took a beautiful walk to our buses which led us over a bridge looking over the river which surrounds the city. Before heading back to the hotel for dinner we made on last stop to see where Damascene jewelry is made. Toledo is the world's largest center of production of this jewelry, the art of decorating non-precious metals with gold. This style of production originates from work done in Damascus, Syria and was a practice brought to Spain by the Arabs. I was lucky enough to be able to see an artisan creating these beautiful pieces and purchase a necklace for myself!
Hola, Spain!
Over my spring break I am traveling with my sister's choir and several families of choir members throughout Spain! I am extremely grateful that I have another opportunity to travel abroad. Today I arrived in Madrid, and immediately boarded a bus headed to Toledo. While we just arrived, touring began immediately. Once in Toledo we were able to stop and take some panoramic pictures of the city. The view is truly breathtaking and the city houses numerous churches, museums, mosques and synagogues and is a fusion of Christian, Arab, and Jewish traditions from the Middle Ages. Once we had finally arrived in the city we stopped for lunch and were able to enjoy the warm weather. After lunch we walked around and then toured the Toledo Cathedral. The church is beautiful, and even houses the El Greco painting The Disrobing of Christ. Tomorrow we will get a chance to further explore Toledo, many more pictures to come!
