Monday, June 3, 2013

Today was an awesome day spent primarily in Toledo, a stunningly beautiful city full of Castles, bridges and turrets, as well as synagogues, mosques and cathedrals. The picture shows us on the hillside overlooking the city.  Toledo is known as a place where the three Abrahamic religions - Christianity, Judaism and Islam- have (mostly) peacefully coexisted for centuries. Our tour guide tells us that is where the expression "Holy Toledo" comes from. :) I (Susan) particularly enjoyed touring the beautiful synagogue, but was also in awe of the cathedral where El Greco's masterpiece "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz" hangs in the foyer. When I looked up at the ornate ceiling above the altar, I was surprised to see a Star of David woven into the traditional Christian/Catholic decor.  At the end of the afternoon, we got to Granada just in time to witness a religious procession celebrating Corpus Christi. What an ornate and somber ritual mixing Catholic religion and culture! Turns out our first few days touring the cities of Spain may be the perfect preparation for walking the Camino.

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