Paris1972-Versailles2003

Once again clearing my vaults of pictures found some not shown yet in my blog as far as I can see. This is a pity as these are marvels in architecture and history of the world culture city of Toledo.  Therefore, time to make up and here is my take on the wonderful Palacio de Fuensalida of Toledo!!

The Palacio de Fuensalida, is located in Toledo , province of same name and in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha. It was built in the first half of the 15C. It is the current seat of the Presidency of Castilla-La Mancha. It is located in the historic center of the city of Toledo, next to the Church of Santo Tomé and the Taller del Moro by which it is connected by an old staircase, in the Plaza del Conde, occupying practically the entire flank.

The Fuensalida Palace was ordered to be built by Pedro López de Ayala y Castañeda, 1st Count of Fuensalida, at the beginning of the 15C. During the 16C, it was the seat of the court of the Empress Isabel of Portugal while the works of the Alcázar were being carried out, and in this same place she died as a result of the birth of her sixth child, Juan, on April 30, 1539. Between 1580 and 1603, the Palacio de Fuensalida was one of the most prestigious literary academies of the Spanish Golden Age in Toledo, Among its most prominent members are José de Valdivielso, Francisco de Pisa, Luis Quiñones de Benavente and the one simply noted as the Painter, without a doubt, El Greco. The connection of the painter with this Academy is reinforced by the close relationship that the Counts of Fuensalida had with the Church of Santo Tomé,(see post) at whose expense the painting The Burial of the Count of Orgaz was made by El Greco.

Inside the building there is a large central patio in Mudejar style, with polygonal brick pillars and footings. Remains of Mudejar plasterwork are also preserved inside. The staircase that connects the building with the Taller del Moro has a Plateresque coffered ceiling, from the 16C. The façade of the palace is made of ashlar masonry, with the coats of arms of the Counts of Fuensalida and flanking the entrance door there are some columns topped by lions.

The Cultural Heritage of the region of Castilla La Mancha on the Palacio de Fuensalida : https://cultura.castillalamancha.es/patrimonio/yacimientos-visitables/palacio-de-fuensalida

The Castilla La Mancha regional tourist office on the palace of Fuensalida : http://en.www.turismocastillalamancha.es/patrimonio/palacio-de-fuensalida-de-toledo-72064/

The Regional government of Castilla La Mancha at the Palacio de Fuensalida : https://www.castillalamancha.es/gobierno/sede

The Toledo tourist office locations: https://turismo.toledo.es/recursos/oficinas-de-turismo.html

There you go folks, now I feel better telling you more of this wonderful building in beautiful Toledo, the Palacio de Fuensalida can be visited as well. Hope you enjoy the post as I

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

Looking over my many posts on Toledo I saw that an oversight of my part have taken place, The venerable bullring arena has been left out, big time, Therefore, here is my rendition on the Plaza de Toros or bullring of Toledo. 

The Plaza de Toros de Toledo is located at Calle Huérfanos Cristino,s/n,in front of the former cinema María Cristina. Of course, you know by now Toledo is the capital of the province of Toledo and also of the region of Castilla La Mancha.

In what was the capital of the Spanish Empire, the first corrida or bullfight was held in the year 1566, and still preserved in writing, on the occasion of the birth of the infanta Clara Eugenia, daughter of king Felipe II. In that same scenario years later, specifically in 1572, two great bullfights were held that caused a sensation: the first was on the occasion of the great victory of Lepanto and the second with the birth of Prince Fernando.

For many years, until 1865, bullfights were held in the Plaza de Zocodover. It was in the 19C that the new and definitive Toledo bullring was created, located on the Carretera de Madrid highway (my old N401 and now A42 of many trips).It opened on August 18, 1866.  The great cartels and the best bullfighters always fought to make the paseo in the Toledo bullring. Great were the category and repercussion of the performances that took place there. For example, the bullfighter Joselito only did the paseíllo in 1916. Meanwhile, his admirer Juan Belmonte walked the ring six times between 1913 and 1944. Marcial Lalanda himself made his debut when he was only 11 years old in 1914. He would witness in 1927 how his fellow poster member Cagancho was carried out of the ring on the shoulders. After that, they took him after passing through the Puerta de Bisagra to the Hotel Castilla in Plaza de San Agustín !

The bullring has an Arab style with masonry walls and eight lines made of Berroque stone. Inside we can find the basic facilities, such as corrals, chapel, infirmary, pigsties, horse yards and bullpen plateau. Its capacity is 8,530 spectators, which is why it is classified in Spain among the second category bullrings.

On every June a well-known bullfight takes place in Toledo, On the occasion of this Eucharistic feast celebrated throughout Spain, Toledo hosts the largest procession in Spain. The streets are then richly decorated and covered. The coats of arms have come out of the cupboards, the pavement is strewn with thyme and rosemary, and the balconies are adorned with thousands of flowers and garlands of boxwood. The processional cortege is that of the custode (the monstrance), sculpted in the first gold coin brought back from America. This jewel of Gothic goldsmithing is usually exhibited in the cathedral. All the corporations of Toledo participate: brotherhoods and trades from the clergy and civil authorities, Big event indeed !

The Plaza de Toros , also hosts a wide variety of cultural and musical events. The visible faces of the company Mare Nostrum Arena, S.L. Who owns and manage the bullring are the businessman Nacho Lloret and his manager Luis María Garrido, both recognized in the bullfighting world and who have experience in managing bullfighting arenas.

The official plaza de toros of Toledo: http://www.plazadetorostoledo.com/

The Toledo tourist office on its heritage: https://turismo.toledo.es/recursos/museos-y-monumentos.html

The Toledo province tourist office on Toledo: https://www.turismoprovinciatoledo.es/comarca-toledo/

The Castilla La Mancha region tourist office on Toledo: http://en.www.turismocastillalamancha.es/patrimonio/toledo/

There you go folks, a huge town to visit for its architecture, history, cultures, the works; Toledo has it all. Now to round up the cultural tour glad to have the Plaza de Toros of Toledo in my blog. Hope you enjoy it as I

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

This is one of the gem you need a car to see the world better. In what can be an off the beaten path trip deep into the province of Cuenca in the Castilla La Mancha region. I like to bring you back with another post, the 3rd on the series of this wonderful place, a must to see. This is Uclés and the main dish, the Monastery of Uclés!!!

And again in my beloved Spain, and favorite region of Castilla La Mancha, of Don Quijote dreams and stories! One can never have enough in my Spain, everything under the Sun! Once again,  I will tell you a bit more on the Monastery / Castle of Uclés ,after finding some pictures in my vault not yet shown. In our tours as road warriors in Castilla La Mancha region has been huge for us, and we love it!!!. We did the trip by car of course, and did it across sunflower fields of dirt/stone terrain to reach it by the south side where it can be seen in its entire splendor. A wonderful decision we will cherish forever in the family; my dear late wife Martine was a bit scare on the dusty road but I got all there safe!! This spot can, also, be reach on the A23 highway Madrid-Valencia.

Uclès is known for the two battles that took place there: the first in the Middle Ages, during the Reconquista: Battle of Uclès (1108); and the second during the Independance war or Peninsular war, during the occupation of Spain by dictator Napoléon’s  troops: Battle of Uclès (1809).

The main point of interest in this town of course is the monastery, built by Francisco de Mora, a disciple of Herrera, in the 16C. Also known as “The Escorial of Castilla-La Mancha” or “the small Escurial”, the monastery is built around a beautiful two-story square patio, dating from the 16C, which preserves a magnificent cistern in the center. The Churrigueresque portal with a sculpture of the Apostle Santiago stands out from the main façade. The church, with a single nave, built in the north wing, houses a painting by Francisco Ricci, the remains of Rodrigo Manrique, master of the Order of Saint James (Santiago), and his son, Jorge Manrique are kept here. It , also, has a historical importance to the Order of Saint-James de La Mancha, which chose this locality as the capital of its territory.

There is ,also, pretty good wine here! The Uclés appellation has in the western half the vineyard are between 500 and 800 meters high, and in the eastern half between 600 and 1,200 meters, the two parts separated by the Sierra de Altamira. My experience here has been good with bottles from the  Finca La Estacada 100% Tempranillo (see post).

The official Monastery of Uclés: https://www.monasterioucles.com/visita

The city of Uclés on the Monastery: https://ucles.es/turismo/el-monasterio-de-ucles/

The Castilla La Mancha region tourist office on the Monastery: http://www.turismocastillalamancha.es/patrimonio/monasterio-de-ucles-28064/

There you go folks, a wonderful countryside in the Manchego of Castilla La Mancha and a historical Uclés. In all it is fun for a day of sightseeing and driving on country road, the real travel ! Enjoy the Monastery of Uclés as we did! It’s a must to visit me think.

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