At La Fundación José Ortega y Gasset, one of my classes was about Toledo's art and architecture.  I had it every Thursday and I really enjoyed it because on those days mornings would include a tour of a prominent landmark, leaving the afternoons open to an interesting lecture explaining in extensive detail what I had just seen.  One very special day we saw a gorgeous monastery called San Juan de Los Reyes or Saint John of the Kings.  Here's a photo of it's outside.

           The inside of it had a beautiful courtyard full of orange trees as well as extensive detail in its sanctuary and on all of its hallway's ceilings.  Here are some examples.

         In this same class, we also had a whole unit on towers with a mudéjar of Muslim influence because before Christians conquered Toledo, it was home to people of Muslim as well as Jewish descent.  Here is an example of one of my favorite mudéjar towers.

             In addition to the monastery and the mudéjar towers, on my own finding while strolling through the city, I also find several other really beautiful places.  The first one was Toledo's largest plaza called Plaza de Zocodover.  Here's a photo of it during a busy afternoon.

             It was very clear that it was a spot for locals and tourists to spend time with family and friends.  It was also where Toledo's major bus stops were located.  In addition to Plaza Zocodover, in a plaza near my host family's house, I found Toledo's beautiful city hall.  Here's a photo of it illuminated at night.

              In addition to this being the plaza where Toledo's city hall was located, like Plaza Zocodover, it was also a favorite place for locals, as well as tourists, to spend time with family and friends.
             As well as all of Toledo's stunning architecture, it is also a city home to breathtaking nature.  When Toledo was built during the medieval ages of Spain, it was built a top of a plateau in order to be protected from outside invaders.  In addition to this plateau the surrounding river, El Río Tajo, acted as a natural barrier, enclosing and protecting the city.  Today the area surrounding the river is a relaxing place to take a nice afternoon stroll as well as the home of some pretty interesting graffiti.  Take a look.

            Well that's all for now, I hope you have enjoyed my second post!  My next post will again show more of Toledo with a special focus on its food.