June 14: Madrid and Toledo
Today’s journey took us outside of Madrid, to the hilltop town of Toledo, sometimes called the City of Three Cultures”, which refers to the coexistence of Christians, Muslims, and Jews within the city throughout the turbulent medieval period, although periods of religious oppression and even exile occurred as well. For me, at least, the highlight of today was the many wonderful sites which featured monuments and artworks we had studied in AHI class this year. The Mass in a special chapel of the cathedral was beautiful and moving, with the voices of the participants echoing off the aged stone walls.
There were so many connections to our curriculum and to faith, and so many opportunities to marvel at the complexity and intricacies of cultures that clashed, conquered, blended, and evolved in this place. Behind and throughout all the beauty we saw today was a single thread - that the kind of tolerance, respect, and coexistence among peoples of different cultures and faiths that we know today did not arrive easily. Our visit to the city of Toledo was richly educational as well as enjoyable. Read on for a reflection from students:
Reflection by Isabelle Gonzalez and Paige Douglas
Day 3 of the trip was certainly a memorable and informative experience. We took our first trip outside of the city of Madrid today, heading to the historic city of Toledo.
We started our tour outside of the city walls, taking in the scenic view of the famed skyline from the outer hills. We then made our way to a traditional damasquinado workshop, where we witnessed the distinctive metal making practice of the area. Following this, our walking tour began, as we crossed a medieval bridge over the river Tagos into the winding streets of Toledo. We visited various religious sites that showcased the diverse and complex history of Spanish culture, before making our way to la catedral primada de Toledo. A mass and tour of the cathedral led us deeper into the city’s rich history, and we soon got the chance to explore it for ourselves! In our free time, we did shopping, sightseeing, and even visited some local nuns!
Our day was finished back in Madrid with a delicious dinner of tapas, which ultimately ended in a mad dash in pouring rain back to our hotel (no hair was harmed in the process). Despite language mishaps, exhaustion from early-morning sports games (go Knicks!), and rain-related dilemmas, we would call today a success!
