Visigoth sites in the province of Toledo: what to visit

El Visigoth Kingdom of Toledo forms one of the most interesting stages in our history.

It is a fascinating period that has left us with numerous monuments in addition to treasures of incalculable value.

From this remote time there are still many enigmas to be solved and archaeological research continually reveals very interesting stories.

Visigothic places to visit in the province of Toledo

We propose a route through the best places who remember the history of the Visigoth Kingdom in the province of Toledo.

Museum of Councils and Visigothic Culture in Toledo

La city ​​of Toledo is the best place to start visigothic route by the province.

It is not surprising since Toledo was capital of the Visigoth Kingdom.

Although scattered throughout the historic center, we find small details that remind us of that time, and the place to go is the Museum of Councils and Visigothic Culture, in the heart of the monumental center.

The museum is located in the church of San Román, an mudejar temple very interesting, both for its architecture and for its wonderful mural paintings.

In its showcases a universe is displayed made up of objects that are about 15 centuries old: capitals, friezes, pilasters and, above all, examples of exceptional goldsmithing.

The most spectacular are the replicas of the Guarrazar treasure, whose originals are found in the Archaeological Museum of Madrid and the Cluny Museum in Paris.

Visigothic site of Guarrazar in Toledo

The treasure cabinet suggests that the next stage must be guarrazar.

This archaeological site It is located 13 kilometers from Toledo following the CM-401 highway; The detour is located just after a gas station.

guarrazar It is a place of exceptional value that arises from a very rare natural phenomenon in the area: a permanent spring that flows even in periods of drought.

This fact favored the development, over the centuries, of a pilgrimage center in which the healing of the body through water was sought, which reminds us of the French sanctuary of Lourdes.

Being located a short distance from the capital, the spring came under royal protection, and the place must have had much more importance than was thought years ago.

Excavations in recent times are bringing to light remains of a palace-monastery, hospital and a church.

The most accepted hypothesis today is that the votive wreaths that make up the treasure would be exposed in this temple.

To assess the importance of this site, we must take into account that it is the most important treasure in the entire Middle Ages European.

These wonders of goldsmithing were hidden at some point due to fear of Muslim invasion, and were accidentally discovered in 1858, in an example of a chance find, after a violent storm that caused land displacement.

The Visits to the site are always guided and the archaeologist who directs the excavations is capable of revealing to us, with his passion and his explanations, a lost world through medieval chronicles, architectural remains and scientific work that sometimes reminds us of that of the detectives in the movies.

To visit Guarrazar You have to reserve a place, and the visits are done in groups and last about two hours.

Here you have all the information for visit the Visigothic archaeological site of Guarrazar, with schedules y ticket prices.

guarrazar It is an active center for workshops related to archeology, but also to nature and the plastic arts.

El archaeological site belongs to the municipal area of We are looking forward to it, where you can visit, in addition to its 15th century castle, an interpretation center and a museum about the site with original pieces and reproductions of the treasure.

Visigothic site of Los Hitos in Toledo

The next stage is The Milestones, Another archaeological site which is reached by first taking the N-401 and turning off at Sonseca.

To discover the milestones you have to go to the village of Arisgotas and continue a couple of kilometers.

On the way there or on the way back you have to stop at arisgotas to watch the museum and browse the streets in search of Visigothic reliefs embedded in the facades of the houses.

En The Milestones we found a archaeological site which allows us to glimpse the way of life of the Visigothic aristocracy.

It is believed that it was originally a hunting lodge of some nobleman, perhaps even a king, an enclosure that ended up being used as a pantheon.

Over time, a church and other buildings were added, and later it became, first, a visigothic village and then in a muslim farmhouse.

The place is not fenced and can be visited freely at any time. If it coincides with an archaeological campaign, probably. There will be someone willing to serve as a guide.

In this area there are prepared hiking trails that pass through The Milestones.

Remains of the Visigothic church of San Pedro de la Mata

In its heyday there must have been direct and easy communication between The Milestones y San Pedro de la Mata, but now, if you want to go by car, you have to make a small detour.

The remains of the Visigothic church of San Pedro de la Mata They appear on the edge of the road and seem to sprout from the same rock.

It is not an exaggeration since the place chosen for its construction is a rocky outcrop, a smooth slab that adds a timeless character to the whole.

The place, in its time less than two days' journey from Toledo and near the road that led to Córdoba, could be a church located on an immense estate owned by some Visigoth nobleman which would include the enclosure of The Milestones.

Although there is no absolute certainty, it is thought that this monastic complex was ordered to be built by the king wamba in the last third of the 7th century.

San Pedro de la Mata can be included in a circular walking route of 17 kilometers that begins in Casalgordo and also goes through different places of historical and natural interest, like the place of Peñas Gordas and Roman dam of Valhermoso.

Visigothic hermitage of Santa María de Melque in Toledo

We leave the true gem of this for last. Visigothic Route through the province of Toledo, the Hermitage of Santa María de Melque.

Although it has some parts recently rebuilt and restored, the whole offers a wonderful feeling of a well-preserved temple.

Furthermore, the fact that it is totally isolated from any population, in the middle of a natural landscape, helps create the feeling that we are taking a trip back in time.

In fact, we can say that Santa María de Melque Maybe it's the easiest place in the whole world. Peninsula, move to that mysterious and unknown period that is late antiquity.

The architecture of this temple, located in a solitary place, tells us about the Roman world, but also shows innovative technical solutions.

The church must have been fortified at some point in response to the turbulent times experienced for centuries in this frontier land.

Upon entering you have the feeling that the granite ashlars are something alive that is settled in the depths of time. Outside, an immense expanse of lonely countryside makes us feel very far from the world.

La Visiting Santa María de Melque is free.

The venue is open every day except Monday and some dates between Christmas and Epiphany, and here you have updated information on visiting hours and conditions.