Toledo
Toledo is the old capital of the kingdom of Castille. One
of the most important Moorish towns in Spain, it is also well known for
its Jewish heritage, which came to an abrupt end with their expulsion
from the country in the 15th century.
The Arabic cultural legacy is shown in the work of craftsmen who create
jewellery with inlaid gold, a technique which originated in Damascus.
At the Museo de Santa Cruz Robert admires the paintings of Toledo's most
famous artist, El Greco. Born in Greece, he settled in the city in 1576,
where he spent the rest of his days.
In La Mancha Robert follows in the footsteps of Cervantes and his
legendary creation, Don Quixote. Cervantes is reputed to have begun
writing Spain's greatest novel while imprisoned in a cave in the small
town of Argamasilla de Alba.
We discover more about Spain's Moorish legacy as Robert visits Córdoba.
Admiring the splendour of the Mosque he feels as if he was back in the
glittering caliphate of Al Andalus.
Still on the track of the past, Robert visits the restaurant
El Caballo Rojo, where the owner has spent years researching and recreating recipes from the past. Amongst his guests - the Queen of Spain who described the experience as 'eating culture'.
Near Córdoba, in Cazalla de la Sierra, Robert discovers a magnificent monastery which dates back to Roman times. It was derelict when the current owner, Carmen Ladrón took it over twenty years ago. She has since devoted her life to restoring it. "I have achieved a dream," she says.
Toledo - Local Links
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites
Museo Sefardí de Toledo
Miguel de Cervantes and Don Quixote
