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Toledo
 Toledo
is the capital of the Toledo Province located in the center of
Spain. The region is covered on three sides by a gorge cut away
by the Tagus River. Toledo has several buildings of moorish architecture
including many towers, old gates and massive houses giving it
a medieval atmosphere. In the city center is the gothic cathedral.
It was completed in the 15th century and has 40 chapels. Also
of architectural importance is the church and convent of San Juan
de los Reyes. These churches exhibit notable works of art from
famous artists including the painter El Greco. Toledo is famous
for its steel industry and manufacture of Damascene swords. The
military museum located in the Alcazar is also worth visiting.
Alcalá de Henares
 Built
in the 16th century by Cardinal Jimenez de Cisneros, Alcalá
de Henares is said to be the first planned university city in
the world. The idea for such a city was later taken to American
and Europe. Alcala de Henares is also the birthplace of Miguel
de Cervantes Saavedra, Spain's most famous writer and author of
the masterpiece Don Quijote.
El Escorial
 El
Escorial was constructed by the Escorial Monastery towards the
end of the 16th century. Located in Castile on a beautiful site
the El Escorial has a different style of architecture emanating
mystic beauty. This was once a center of learning and later became
a center of the greatest political power of that time.
Chinchón
 Chinchón
is a picturesque and best-known town within Madrid. Although its
so close to the capital city is has retained its own identity
without letting urbanization destroy its natural beauty and historical
past. With its dark gray landscapes, bunches of houses between
winding streets, beautiful hills in the back ground and interesting
life and history of the village definitely makes a visit worthwhile.
Cuenca
 Cuenca
is a medieval town with the main attraction here being the casas
colgadas or hanging houses which are houses precariously perched
on the edges of cliffs. There are several such houses sitting
on gorges and cliffs with beautiful plants and flowers hanging
down the balconies making it a beautiful sight. These houses have
now been restored and and being used as museums of art, archaeology
and religion.
Segovia
 Segovia
is a small city that has witnessed several cultures through the
centuries including Roman, Arabic, Jewish and Christian. The remnants
of these cultures can still be seen in the cities plazas, streets,
cathedrals and narrow winding streets. The huge aqueducts still
stand strong and along with huge mansions and castles remind the
city of its Roman past. A trip to segovia is definitely worth
your time.
El Valle de los Caidos
El Valle de los Caidos
or the Valley of the Fallen is an ancient monastery and burial
place. The monastery contains a huge cross and several paintings
and sculptures by Juan de Avalos. The site was dedicated to the
soldiers who lost their lives in the Spanish civil war and serves
as a reminder of the pain and suffering of the people at the hands
of the dictator, Francisco Franco.
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