Steepled in history

CALLED the city of three cultures, Toledo in midland Spain was once home to Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities who shared an intellectual harmony — for a while!

Ultimately, the Christians overthrew the Muslims in 1085 and then expelled the Jews in 1492, but the academic heritage lived on. The Christians had the good sense to retain the libraries of Arabic literature and Toledo became a centre of translation between Hebrew, Arabic and Latin. The art and architecture of 2,000 years, including the Spanish Golden Age, make this city a worthy UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Toledo is a beautifully historic place, built on a hill, which is almost surrounded by the River Tagus. Such a natural moat made it an obvious place to build a city. No enemy came close without being observed, although the Moors did eventually manage to conquer it.