Toledo: the Former Capital (Feb 10)

We checked our bags at the train station in Madrid and were surprised to learn we needed reservations for the train to Toledo! So we got some last min reservations and boarded the train 2 min before departure! That's cutting it close for a couple of control freaky first borns!

Once in Toledo we boarded a bus and headed up, up, up into the center of town. We easily found our way to the Santa Cruz Museum, which was free because it was under renovation. There were 15 El Grecos here, and he remains Jen's favorite artist! As Rick says: No painter before or since has captured the supernatural the way he does. Jen likes it because it's not all fluffy and rosy cheeked!

We next went to the Sefardic Museum, which was recommended to us by some folks we met in Sevilla. It taught the history of Jews from Spain, their historical heritage and tradition. It was not amazing, but it was a nice change from art museums! The moment we realized we were ready to go home was when we agreed on lunch at an Asian restaurant. There we were in the small, romantic town of Toledo, and we were having Asian food. Spanish Asian food tastes the same as American Asian food. :)

After lunch, we went to the Iglesia de Santo Tome, where we saw El Greco's most-loved painting: The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. The painting remains where the painter placed it 400 years ago. The Count of Orgaz was buried here in this church in 1312. We stood for a while and took it all in. Finally, we went to the Catedral de Toledo. There was art by El Greco, Caravaggio, Velazquez, and Bellini. Sound familiar? They did to us by now! This was a Gothic style church, and great to walk around.