TOLEDO TODAY

It was lucky that yesterday's attempt to go to Toledo failed. Duff information sent me back to the hostel and it was a dull cold grey day which would have been a disaster in such a fantastic place as Toledo. I don't know why it had never been on my 'must see' list before. 

After getting the correct information it was a fast and easy trip. About 8 stops on the metro from Chueca and then the bus station at Plaza Eliptica. Alsa buses run very frequent service and it costs almost 10 euro, whereas the train costs 18 euro and its only 15 min faster. The bus station is directly below the hill on which lies Toledo. 15 minutes walk and you're up there. 

Which way you look at it, Toledo is pretty stunning. I haven't seen such a photogenic place for quite a while. The museum, free for oldies like me, is vast and housed in the large fort on top of the hill. It seems from the exhibits that Spain has been at war ever since its conception. But all the same its well organised in a new state of the art building. Perhaps this one was a contributor to Spain's financial woes.

Weapons and armour are plentiful as well as masses of battle scenes and military parades like the one in front of the Madrid royal palace. These minatures seem to be common here. This 1899 Peugeot was the first motorized vehicle used by the Spanish army.

On the top floor I found relics of the Spanish Civil War, evidence of which is also clearly visible on the Santa Cruz abbey nearby. The scars of the bullets that hit it are from almost 80 years ago. 

The Moorish arch and narrow streets make this place a joy to wander. Hopefully, it will be a day trip to Segovia tomorrow, a bit further than Toledo and to the north of Madrid. Think my information is correct. It'll have to be as its the last day in Madrid.