Toledo: Cuisine and Culture

If you’re planning to visit Toledo, it’s worth learning about its gastronomy, including the typical dishes you should try and its culture and festivals, should you have the opportunity to enjoy any of them.

Knowing the history and traditions of a culture can help you better understand its people.

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Brief History of Toledo

According to popular tradition, Hercules founded the city, and the famous Caves of Hercules in the San Ginés alley are said to be a witness to this.

I have detailed below some of the most critical dates in Toledo’s history:

193 BC – The Romans conquered and occupied the city until 411 AD, when the Alans arrived. During its Roman period, it was known as ‘Toletum‘.
6th century AD – It was declared the Capital of the Visigoth Kingdom and an episcopal seat in the time of King Leovigild.
711 – The Muslims conquer the city under the command of Tariq ibn Ziyad.
1085 – The Christians, led by Alfonso VI, conquered Toledo, ending the Muslim period, although both cultures continued to coexist in relative harmony.
In the 13th century, King Alfonso X created the Toledo School of Translators, an excellent example of the relevant centre of cultural exchange that the city represented.
1486 – The Spanish Inquisition, founded by the Catholic Monarchs in 1478, arrives in Toledo from Ciudad Real. It did not disappear definitively until 1834.
1561 – Philip II relocated the court to Madrid. The Church’s growing power compensated for losing political and social influence.
1983 – Toledo becomes the headquarters of the regional courts.
1986 – It is declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO.

What is Toledo famous for?

Toledo is known for its steel industry and is famous for crafting swords and armour. This city has produced swords for popular movies such as ‘The Lord of the Rings‘, ‘Game of Thrones‘ and ‘Conan‘.

Over the years, various events have made the city known by different names:

‘Royal City’ – For being declared the Capital of the Kingdom and episcopal seat in the Visigothic era of King Leovigild (6th century AD).
‘City of three cultures’ – Because during the reign of King Alfonso X, Christians, Jews and Muslims coexisted peacefully.
‘Imperial City’ – For having been the capital of the Spanish Empire with Charles I of Spain (V of Germany).

The history of Toledo is so rich that it is one of the cities in the world with the most legends. If you have the opportunity, take one of the tours about legends around the city.

Cuisine – Typical Toledo Dishes

Toledo is a city that boasts a rich culinary heritage, and due to its proximity to La Mancha, it has a significant influence in the region. Manchego cheeses, wines, oils, and saffron are some of the typical ingredients used in many of their dishes, making them an integral part of Toledo’s cuisine.

Carcamusas: Beef or pork stew with tomato and peas. Sometimes, it also comes with ham or chorizo, and it can be served as a main dish or tapa. Possibly the most typical dish of all.

Perdiz a la toledana (Toledo-style partridge): Partridge stewed with garlic, onion, bay leaf, a little bit of wine and a touch of vinegar. It is a simple dish but a benchmark of Toledo cuisine.

Cochifrito: Fried suckling pig cubes, previously stewed with garlic, vinegar and spices. The meat should be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Grilled venison or venison stew with mushrooms or pears is another traditional dish.

The Toledanas (Toledoan) are typical pastries shaped like empanadillas and filled with candied quince jam.

Marzipan is a paste made with almonds and sugar. Toledo is considered the birthplace of this sweet in Spain. The one manufactured by Obrador Santo Tomé, established in 1856, is considered one of the best.

Culture – Toledo Festivals

The main celebrations that take place in the city are:

Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is the biggest festival in Toledo, where the city dresses up to celebrate the Eucharist sacrament. The event began in 1418 and still has strong religious significance.

The celebration occurs on the Thursday following the eighth Sunday after Easter in late May or early June. The procession is the main event, but numerous celebrations, activities, and concerts happen throughout the week.

The Holy Week

Holy Week is the second major event that takes place in Toledo. Yes, it is another religious festival, but we cannot ignore the significant influence that the Church has had – and still has – in this city, which sometimes appears to have hindered its evolution.

During the festival, around twenty brotherhoods organise 18 processions throughout Toledo, reflecting the history and culture of the city.

In addition, all the churches, convents, and monasteries that are usually closed throughout the year open their doors to host various religious services, allowing the public to see their interiors.

Tapa Days

Not everything in Toledo is religious. A tradition called ‘Las Jornadas de la Tapa‘ (The Tapa Days) usually takes place between the end of November and the beginning of December and lasts about ten days.

There is a gastronomic festival where numerous bars and restaurants take part and compete to win the award for the best tapa. You can visit any of these places, savour the delicious complimentary tapas with your drink, and then rate them. If you get the opportunity, don’t miss out on this fantastic experience!

Many other events occur throughout the year, so if you want to know which ones will take place when you visit Toledo, here is the link to the cultural agenda.

Now that you know its cuisine and culture, I recommend that you also read my article Toledo in 1 day. It includes the route, with a map of the most essential things to see in one day and some information of interest.

If you have any questions, comment or fill in the contact form. I will be happy to help you ?