Toledo's Jewish heritage stretches back to the time of the Roman Empire when persecuted Jews first made their way to what would become the Spanish lands. These Spanish Jews, or Sephardi, were expelled in the 15th century by Catholic zealots King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Today there remain many monuments to Spain's Jewish heritage, and Toledo's Juderia Quarter is home to several fine examples.
Named for the famous artist, the Hotel Pintor El Greco is located one block from the Casa El Greco home and museum in Toledo's Juderia Quarter. The hotel occupies a stone building which was once a 17th century bakery. The building has kept much of its original look with roughly-hewn beams and iron work on the windows. Inside you find exposed brick and beams, woodwork furnishings and wall coverings and inlay Spanish tile work of Moorish origin. The hotel is handicap accessible and provides paid parking, laundry service and a lift. There are also two medium-sized meeting rooms available for business travelers. The 60 guestrooms are split between standard modern layouts and medieval arched stone spaces. Each provides Wi-Fi Internet, direct dial telephone, en-suite facilities, minibar, air-conditioning and SAT TV with English channels. Rates for a double start at 60 Euro (about $81) as of January, 2011.
The Hotel San Juan Los Reyes stands in the Old Jewish Quarter of Toledo near the church of Santo Tome and the Museo Taller del Moro. The hotel building is a beautifully preserved and uniquely attractive former flour mill with ornate stone work and classically arched windows marking its facade and a suit of Spanish armor guarding the door. The interior is entirely modern with a large open lobby, marble floors and dark wood furnishings. The hotel is handicap accessible and features non-smoking rooms, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout, free daily breakfast, a restaurant with limited menu, paid parking and available meeting rooms. The 38 guestrooms and suites vary in format and style due to the age of the hotel structure. Each has cherry wood furniture, work desk, modern Spanish decor, Wi-Fi, SAT TV with English channels, direct phone line, whirlpool and air-conditioning. Rates for a double start at 90 Euro (about $121) as of January, 2011.
The Santa Isabel Hotel is located a few blocks from the Cathedral of Toledo and the Museo Sefardi at the edge of the Jewish Quarter. The hotel occupies a 14th century noble home which became a hotel in 1990. The building was renovated in recent years but maintains its medieval roots and charm with its terracotta tiled roof, intricate brickwork, and front courtyard which looks like Toledo as it was hundreds of years ago. The hotel has a lift, paid parking, and the most attractive feature, a large panoramic terrace that provides views of the entire city. The non-smoking guestrooms are not uniform in design due to the age and nature of the building, but each is simply and functionally furnished with air-conditioning, SAT TV and free Wi-Fi. Rates for a double start at 43 Euro (about $58) as of January, 2011.
Toledo is a city with a complex and fascinating history located about 40 miles southwest of Madrid. This close proximity to the capital makes Toledo a day trip for many visitors, but there is enough to see and do to warrant a longer stay. The city's most known landmark is the Alcazar, now a museum which stands atop the highest hill and became famous thanks to its role in the Spanish Civil War. The city itself is a time capsule with medieval buildings and streets, and signs of the Arab, Jewish, Roman and Visigoths who held power at one time or another. The city's Gothic Cathedral dates to the 13th century and stands as the base of Catholicism in the entire country. The two remaining synagogues, the Sinagoga del Transito (14th century) and the Sinagoga de Santa Maria La Blanca (12th century) are clear reminders of the city's Jewish past and are the central attractions of the Juderia Quarter.
