While researching things to do in Madrid, I came across the option of a day trip to Toledo.
Toledo, Spain—often called the “City of Three Cultures”—has a rich and layered history shaped by its Jewish, Christian, and Islamic heritage. Perched dramatically above the Tagus River, it was an important city for the Romans, Visigoths, and later the Moors, who ruled it from 711 until it was reconquered by Christian forces in 1085.
It has a famous cathedral, synagogue and a mezquita as mosques are called.
I was yet to visit Cordoba so a mosque with some resemblance to Cordoba mosque appealed to me and we went.
Tucked near Puerta del Sol (last image), this small yet remarkable monument is the best-preserved of Toledo’s ten original mosques. Built in 999 CE by Ahmad ibn Hadidi during the height of the Caliphate, it showcases Islamic architecture—brickwork, ribbed vaults, and elegant arches inspired by the Great Mosque of Córdoba.
Originally known as Mezquita Bab al-Mardum, it remained unchanged for centuries. After the Christian conquest of Toledo in 1085, it was converted into a chapel. Legend says King Alfonso VI discovered a hidden crucifix here, marking the site of the first Christian Mass after the reconquest.
In the 12th century, a Romanesque apse was added, blending Muslim craftsmanship with Christian symbolism—an early and rare example of Mudéjar art. You’ll also spot Visigothic elements in the reused columns and capitals.
Today, the Mezquita is a peaceful monument open to visitors, a living reminder of Toledo’s layered heritage—Islamic, Visigothic, and Christian—all under one small, breathtaking roof.
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