Monday, October 06, 2008
Toledo diary
We spent a beautiful Sunday in Toledo, Spain, a medieval city that today is the center of the theatrical sword industry. Yes, that means if somebody produces a movie such as "Gladiator" or "The Lord of the Rings" or even "The Last Samurai" that involves a lot of swordplay, Toledo companies not only build the swords for the movie itself but for the huge souvenir business that follows. Aragorn's "sword that was broken" is available all over town.
Anyway, the Flickr uploader is still giving me fits, so the pictures will come out in phases. Here is Toledo from an overlook across the river.
The lamp suspended from the bridge that links the archbishop's residence with the magisterial cathedral of Toledo, the third largest in Spain and surely one of the most ornate in the world.
And, finally, the main doors of the cathedral, which stand at least 30 feet high and open only once a year during the Feast of Corpus Christi.
Bullet holes in the side of the centuries old hospital, a product of Republican attacks on fascist positions during the Spanish Civil War.
More later.
Monday we take the train to Cordoba, spend the afternoon there, and then drive to Granada.
3 Comments:
By 
J, at
Mon Oct 06, 02:45:00 PM:
Toledo, in my opinion, is the most beautiful town in Spain. It has a unique history, with strong Jewish, Christian, and Islamic influences, with a speedy train to Madrid to boot. One note of correction: the Spanish city is spelled Granada, while GrEnada is the island we invaded. A small pet peeve of mine that I just couldn't let slip. Keep up the picture posts, they look great.
By TigerHawk, at
Mon Oct 06, 04:08:00 PM:
By Miss Ladybug, at
Mon Oct 06, 10:37:00 PM:
I never was able to get to Spain while living in Germany. My parents went once, before I was even in school yet.
As for movie swords, I'm a big LOTR movie nerd. I own the special extended editions and have watched all the extras. From that, it is my understanding that all the weaponry used in the movie was designed and made in New Zealand at a place called Weta Workshop...
