Paris1972-Versailles2003

So here I am again in historical splendid Toledo of Castilla La Mancha of Spain. I have many posts on the city and just tell you been coming here since early teens with family nearby. So Toledo was sort of a backyard for me and then visited with my family on several ocassions.

One of the hightlights of my visits was to encounter the many nice shops abound and especially the memorable chats with the merchants. This one was unique as looking for some gifts deco for the house came into this shop next to the synagogue de Transito and voilà conversation was long pleasant and a must stop when in Toledo. Let me tell you a bit more on the Damasquinos Artesanales de Toledo at Calle Samuel Levi 3.

First, let me tell you a bit about the street and who was Samuel Levi. 

An interesting history on the street name. Samuel Leví lived in Toledo, in a palace located in the Jewish quarter that is currently preserved under the name of Museum and House of El Greco (see post). He made himself appointed as a hearer of the Audience, with which the judicial power was assured , he could have a presumed private oratory erected in Toledo, the Samuel ha Levi Synagogue, better known in the city as the Transit Synagogue, between 1355 and 1357, even when the construction of these was prohibited . The synagogue is covered with Hebrew inscriptions in praise of the king and his minister. In his enormous wealth, Samuel ha Leví had an extraordinary palace house in the Jewish quarter of Sevilla, which is currently known as the Santa Cruz neighborhood, in addition to other numerous real estate properties. Since the 14C and continuously until today, in Sevilla the street where his palace used to be called is Calle de los Levíes. Tradition holds that he lived in the house on Calle de los Levíes 4, where the friars of La Merced Descalzas founded the convent of San José in 1611. But these vanities, his privileged position and his enormous fortune aroused envy and suspicions even the king himself, who ordered to imprison and torture him until it was clear if he had stolen any sum from the royal treasury, so that he died imprisoned in the Atarazanas of Sevilla in 1360 before achieving forgiveness.

And now for the gift shop of Vivienne! We came in and started a nice conversation with the lady and my dear late wife Martine. We notice even an accent and voilà the owner Vivienne is English, and been living there for almost 50 years!!! Her husband the Spaniard had passed away , and she was still in the business. A very nice pleasant exchange about life in Toledo follows and friendship was struck immediately.

The warm nice English woman name Vivienne who owned the store with her Spanish husband Simon, already on the spot for about 50 years! spent quite a bit of time with us while we bought the most beautiful gifts in Toledo . The choices are endless and the prices were exceptional. After seeing the difference between other stores, this one was the best .This store only sells handmade damascene and the jewelry is much prettier to see in person than the photos. The work is beautiful and is an endangered art. This store offered a wide variety of Damascene items, such as bracelets, plaques, swords , figurines etc. My best advice is to find it before buying Damascene items elsewhere in Toledo.

And voilà no webpage just an old fashion damasquine shop full of deco gifts to bring home and a wonderful conversation about historical and architecturally stunning Toledo. Memories not to be forgotten and we look forward to pass by there again and more pleasant conversation even if will be without my wife of 28 glorious years! Hope you like the story and do stop by when in Toledo. Recommended.  I have not tried the email or telephone lately but it should work for contact: email nsimon@damasquinosdetoledo.com  and telephone: +34 696 20 33 25. Again, hope you have enjoy the post on the Damasquinos Artesanales de Toledo as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!