Viewed from the cigarrales, the luxurious country villas that belonged to the well-to-do Muslims, Toledo is a medieval fantasy city; it rises on the great escarpment formed by a wide curve of the river Tajo. Capital of the old kingdom of the Visigoths, right in the heart of Spain, this is a city of Jews, Moors and Christians; between them, the three cultures wrote a page of universal history here of coexistence. Today, the peaceful and narrow streets retain all the mystery of the Middle Ages. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha and, its pride in its heritage doesn't prevent the city from resolutely joining the ranks of modern Spanish cities.

Location
Capital of the Autonomous Community of Castile-La Mancha, Toledo is located in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula, 71 kilometres from Madrid and in the midst of the beautiful, rich region of Montes de Toledo. Close to other World Heritage cities, such as Avila, Segovia and Cuenca, it is also very close to the neighbouring communities of Castile and Leon, Extremadura and Andalusia.

Population
78,618

Tourism

Toledo has an innovative tourist reception centre, known as Toletvm, located at one of the main gateways to the city (Avenida de Madrid, s/n.; tel 902 10 39 09; www.toletvm.es). Their services range from free parking and bus transportation to the centre and the train station, through cultural and educational activities as well serving as an information point.