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Toledo is situated in the middle of Spain, 70 Km south of Madrid and it is located in Castile-La Mancha. Many famous people born in Toledo, like Garcilaso de La Vega and Alfonso X.
Toledo, like other cities of Spain, has got a very deep Muslim, Jewish and Christian influence. The co-existence of Jews, Christians and Muslims is known like the period of “La Convivencia”. For this motivation, we remember that Toledo was the capital of Al-Andalus.
The metal-working industry has historically been Toledo's economic base. There is a great tradition in the manufacture of swords and knives. Glass and ceramics have also been important.
The manifacture of swords goes back to Roman times and nowaday, this kind of manifacture has got a very important key role. Infact, swords and knives represent also the traditional gift that tourists decide to buy. If tourist want, he can admire how artisans work and he can look at all their handmade works. Also for these haracteristics, Toledo is remembered as the Route of Don Quixote, the main characters of Spanish literature.
Concerning the gastronomy, finest food produts of Toledo are: the marzipan, lamb roast or stew, as cuchifrito, and beans with partridge or stewed partridge and the carcamusas. Also in its gastronomy a grest number of recipes are the result of the combination of Moorish and Christian influences.
Finally, the most important holidays in toledo are:
- “Virgen del Valle” a pilgrimage celebrated on May 1.
- Easter (during this holiday there are various processions)
- Corpus Christi
- “Virgen del Sagrario”, celebrated on August 15 in honor of the Virgen del Sagrario. Procession is held inside the Cathedral and people drink the water of the Virgin in jars.
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