European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 8, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A blindfolded child swings at a Clay pot filled with Candy while others wait their turn to take a swipe. Made it a military and administrative base. Later the City changed hands repeatedly eventually falling to the germanic visigoths who set up a monarchy there in the sixth Century. Around the eighth Century Toledo fell to the moors a the moslem from Northwest Africa. By the 10th Century Toledo s Christian jewish and moorish communities settled into a state of peaceful coexistence that lasted for several centuries. It ended when the religious hatred that consumed the Spanish Catholic Church in the late 15th Century resulted in mass murders and expulsions of both jews and moslem. Modern Toledo retains Many cultural influences from its past particularly the moorish Impact on its architecture. The style which is characterized by the use of Brick and decorative tiles As Well As ribbed cupolas and Keyhole doorways can be seen throughout Toledo in churches and Homes. A one of the Best examples of architecture combining the Many cultures that have influenced Toledo is the old Bisarra Gate on the Northern perimeter of the City. Its Horseshoe arc h dates from the 10th Century while some of its Stone engravings Date Back to the visigoths. The Alcazar a 13th-Century fortress that dominates the East Side of the City was converted by Charles v into an Imperial residence in the 16th Century. During the 1936 Spanish civil War it was virtually destroyed by shelling but later fully restored. Its Bullet marked underground galleries provided shelter to hundreds of women and children during the  whole Day could be spent seeing the Toledo Cathedral in the Center of town which dates Back to the 13th Century and is probably the single greatest work of Art in the c Ity. The gothic Cathedral combines All the wealth splendor and history of the town. Its main Tower a which visitors can ascend a rises almost 300 feet Over the City and houses a huge Bell that weighs almost 40,000 pounds. Inside the Church is the High altar a sumptuous piece of work from the 1 5th Century that is a series of Pinnacles and filigree ,. Filled in with thousands of religious figures. On the southwestern Side of the City is the equally impressive St. John of the Kings monastery crowned by an octagonal Turret. It stands on a Cliff which offers a magnificent View of the nearby Hills dotted with a guru a. A Little country Homes made of Stone with tile  photos by Jim Derheim Toledo s architecture is a mix of several styles giving the City its distinctive look. One of the few noticeable changes in Toledo s narrow streets during the past 500 years is the addition of electric lights. The monastery is located in the Middle of what used to be to e jewish Quarter. In this area is also the Santa Marfa la Blanca synagogue the principal synagogue in 12th-Century Toledo. Modified by christians a who also gave the building its current name the Church h has one of the few remaining and most outstanding examples of the Alm Ohad  style. Finally a visit to Toledo would not be Complete without seeing the i Greco i Louse and museum among the Many paintings found there is View it and  of Toledo considered one of his most important pieces and several a religious works. But Toledo is far from being just a Quot living  there Are crowded sidewalk cafes and bustling discos in addition to its Art galleries and historic Sites. Take a walk Down Calle Del Hombre de Palo or Street of the Woodman which has Many Small shops including several filled with handmade castilian pottery. Or take a stroll Down another of the Many cobbled streets of your Choice. There s sure to be a delightful Surprise awaiting you. August 8, 1991 stripes Magazine 9