Toledo, Spain

Toledo was renowned throughout the Middle Ages, famed for religious tolerance and coexistence of Christian, Jewish and Moorish cultures; known as: La Convivencia. Today's city contains the religious monuments from these 3 faiths. Toledo reached its zenith in the Islamic Caliphate era, as many Muslim scientists of this age were not rivaled in the world. The old city is located on a mountaintop surrounded on three sides by the Tagus river. Many famous people were born or lived in Toledo such as El Greco. It was also the place of important historic events for the Visigothic Councils. Toledo is famed as a world center for the manufacture of swords and steel artifacts. Toledo's Alcazar, at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil war in 1936 became a besieged garrison. It is a World Heritage Site.