Toledo ( UK : / t ɒ ˈ l eɪ d oʊ / tol- AY -doh ; Spanish: [toˈleðo] ) is a city and municipality of Spain , the capital of the province of Toledo and the de jure seat of the government and parliament of the autonomous community of Castilla–La Mancha .
65-453: Aljucén ( Spanish pronunciation: [alxuˈθen] ) is a municipality located in the province of Badajoz , Extremadura , Spain. According to the 2006 census ( INE ), the municipality has a population of 247 inhabitants. 39°02′N 6°20′W / 39.033°N 6.333°W / 39.033; -6.333 This article about a place in the Province of Badajoz is
130-432: A stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Badajoz (province) The province of Badajoz ( Spanish : provincia de Badajoz [baðaˈxoθ] ; Portuguese : província de Badajoz [bɐ.ðɐˈʒɔʃ] ) is a province of western Spain located in the autonomous community of Extremadura . It was formed in 1833. It is bordered by the provinces of Cáceres in the north, Toledo , Ciudad Real in
195-672: A basilica, and tombs. Inspiration for the National Museum of Roman Art dates back to 1838, when the city located the museum in a church, Santa Clara. Toledo, Spain Toledo is primarily located on the right (north) bank of the Tagus in central Iberia , nestled in a bend of the river. It is known as the "City of the Three Cultures" for the cultural influences of Christians , Muslims , and Jews throughout its history. It
260-561: A battle near the city in 193 BCE against a confederation of Celtic tribes, defeating them and capturing a king called Hilermus. At that time, Toletum was a city of the Carpetani tribe in the region of Carpetania . It was incorporated into the Roman Empire as a civitas stipendiaria , (a tributary city of non-citizens) and later a municipium . With this status, city officials obtained Roman citizenship for public service, and
325-690: A detour from their advance towards Madrid (which gave the Republicans time to build up the defenses in Madrid and receive early foreign support) and lifted the siege of the Alcázar in late September 1936. The two months of resistance of the garrisoned rebel military would become a core symbol of the mythology built around the Francoist regime and its ideology. In October 1940, Heinrich Himmler , leading Nazi and Chief of German Police, visited Spain on
390-666: A few minutes every day, a shaft of light shines through, from which this feature of the cathedral derives its name. The Mozarabic Chapel in the Toledo Cathedral still uses the Mozarabic Rite and music. Two notable bridges secured access to Toledo across the Tagus, the Alcántara bridge and the later built San Martín bridge . The Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes is a Franciscan monastery , built 1477–1504, in
455-509: A great tradition in the manufacturing of swords and knives and a significant production of razor blades, medical devices and electrical products. ( The Toledo Blade , the American newspaper in Toledo's Ohio namesake city, is named in honor of the sword-making tradition.) Soap and toothpaste industries, flour milling, glass and ceramics have also been important. The manufacture of swords in
520-531: A major tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world who come to see historic landmarks, such as the Toledo Cathedral, the Alcázar, and the many synagogues and mosques that reflect its diverse cultural past. Toledo hosts numerous cultural events and festivals, such as Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions and the Corpus Christi festival, which draw large crowds and celebrate Castilian Spanish religious and cultural traditions. Toledo has
585-493: A new building on the outskirts of the city. This was the beginning of several phases of expansion. Its importance was such that it eventually developed into a city within the city of Toledo. In the 20th century, the production of knives and swords for the army was reduced to cavalry weapons only, and, after the Spanish Civil War, to the supply of swords to the officers and NCOs of the various military units. Following
650-412: A population density in 2018 of 31.07 inhabitants/km , below the national average (91.13 inhabitants/km ). It is the twenty-third most populated province in the country, just behind Toledo . It exceeds in almost 280,000 inhabitants to Cáceres (396,487), the other Extremaduran province. 22.26% of its inhabitants live in the city of Badajoz, which, with a population of 150,702 (INE 2019), stands out as
715-720: A position which had been held by the Socialists since 2007. The old city is located on a mountaintop with a 150-degree view, surrounded on three sides by a bend in the Tagus River , and contains many historical sites, including the Alcázar , the cathedral (the primate church of Spain), and the Zocodover, a central market place. From the 4th century to the 16th century, about thirty synods were held at Toledo. The earliest, directed against Priscillian , assembled in 400. At
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#1732772669630780-559: A remarkable combination of Gothic-Spanish-Flemish style with Mudéjar ornamentation. Toledo was home to El Greco for the latter part of his life, and is the subject of some of his most famous paintings, including The Burial of the Count of Orgaz , exhibited in the Church of Santo Tomé. When Philip II moved the royal court from Toledo to Madrid in 1561, the old city went into a slow decline from which it never recovered. Toledo has been
845-533: A traditional sword-making, steel-working centre since about 500 BCE, and came to the attention of Rome when used by Hannibal in the Punic Wars . Soon, it became a standard source of weaponry for Roman legions . Toledo steel was famed for its very high quality alloy , whereas Damascene steel , a competitor from the Middle Ages on, was also famed for a specific metal-working technique. Today there
910-437: A typical cold semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSk ). Winters are cool, while summers are hot and dry. Precipitation is low and mainly concentrated in the period between mid-autumn and mid-spring. The highest temperature ever recorded in Toledo was 44.2 °C (111.6 °F) on 13 August 2021; the lowest was −13.4 °C (7.9 °F) on 12 January 2021. The metal-working industry has historically been Toledo's economic base, with
975-458: Is a significant trade, and many shops offer all kinds of swords to their customers, whether historical or modern swords used in films, as well as armor from the medieval period and other times, which are also exported to other countries. Some of the local specialties include lamb roast or stew, cochifrito , alubias con perdiz (beans with partridge) and perdiz estofoda (partridge stew), carcamusa , migas , gachas manchegas , and tortilla
1040-507: Is the case of the unemployed with high school degrees or professional expertise. The largest group among the unemployed is those who have no qualifications (27.27%). Toledo has a 25-member City Council, elected by closed lists every four years. The 2023 election saw a pact between the 9 members of the People's Party and the 4 members of Vox , allowing Carlos Velázquez of the PP to become mayor,
1105-584: The Ancien Régime , also owning large amounts of seigneurial land across most of the southern half of the Inner Plateau and some nearby territories. The mass arrival of deported unruly Moriscos from Granada ('moriscos nuevos') in Toledo and its lands (6,000 arrived to the city only, at least temporarily) in the wake of the Alpujarras rebellion posed a formidable logistic challenge, and
1170-595: The Central March of Al-Andalus. In 852, a new revolt broke out in Toledo. The Umayyad governor was held hostage in order to secure the return of Toledan hostages held in Córdoba. In reprisal for a prior attack by Toledans, emir Muhammad I sent an army to attack them, but was defeated. Toledo forged an alliance with King Ordoño I of Asturias. They fought together at the Battle of Guadacelete but lost. Later in 857,
1235-451: The Church of San Sebastián dating from before the expulsion, still maintained in good condition. Among Ladino -speaking Sephardi Jews , in their various diasporas, the family name Toledano is still prevalent, indicating ancestry from the city (the name is also attested among non-Jews in various Spanish-speaking countries ). In the 13th century, Toledo was a major cultural centre under
1300-519: The New World were from this province. Although many districts have low ranges of hills, the surface is more often a desolate and monotonous plain, flat or slightly undulating. Its one large river is the Guadiana , which traverses the north of the province from east to west, fed by many tributaries; but it is only at certain seasons that the river-beds fill with any considerable volume of water, and
1365-624: The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toledo , multiple persecutions (633, 653, 693) and stake burnings of Jews (638) occurred; the Kingdom of Toledo followed up on this tradition with forced conversions and mass murder (1368, 1391, 1449, 1486–1490) and rioting and bloodbath against the Jews of Toledo (1212). A major popular revolt erupted in 1449, with elements of tax mutiny, anti-Jewish and anti- converso sentiment, and appeals to
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#17327726696301430-516: The 7th century, a series of further church councils—the so-called Councils of Toledo —attempted to reconcile differing theological views and enacted anti-Jewish laws. By the end of the 7th century, the bishop of Toledo was the leader of all other bishops in Hispania, a situation unusual in Europe. The city was also unmatched as a symbolic center of monarchy. When internal divisions developed under
1495-500: The 920 and 930s, until Caliph Abd-ar-Rahman III captured the city in 932 after an extensive siege. In the wake of the early 11th-century Fitna of al-Andalus , Toledo became the centre of an independent polity, the so-called Taifa of Toledo , under the rule of the Dhu l-Nunids . The population of Toledo at this time was about 28,000, including a Jewish population of 4,000. The Mozarab community had its own Christian bishop. The taifa
1560-591: The Christian conquest, the city's Mozarab community grew by immigration from the Muslim south. Toledo preserved its status as a cultural centre. A tag-team translation centre was established in which books in Arabic or Hebrew would be translated into Castilian by Muslim and Jewish scholars, and from Castilian into Latin by Castilian scholars, thus letting long-lost knowledge spread through Christian Europe again. Under
1625-459: The Guadiana may frequently be forded without difficulty. The climate is continental with great extremes of heat in summer and of cold in winter, when fierce north and north-west winds blow across the plains. Mountains, pastures and Mediterranean forests are important geographical features of this province. The Province of Badajoz is divided into 165 municipalities . After Badajoz, the capital,
1690-517: The Toledans attacked Talavera but were again defeated. In 859, Muhammad I negotiated a truce with Toledo. The city became virtually independent for twenty years, though locked in conflict with neighboring cities. Cordobese authorities re-asserted control over Toledo in 873, after the successful Umayyad siege on the city, which forced defenders to submit. The Banu Qasi gained nominal control of Toledo until 920. A new period of unruliness followed in
1755-867: The Visigothic nobles, Tariq bin Ziyad captured Toledo in 711 or 712 on behalf of the Umayyad Caliphate of Damascus as part of the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula . Tariq's superior, Governor Musa, disembarked in Cádiz and proceeded to Toledo, where he executed the Visigothic nobles, destroying much of the existing power structure. Following the Umayyad conquest, invaders were ethnically diverse, and available evidence suggests that in
1820-696: The area of Toledo (locally known as Ṭulayṭulah under Islamic rule), Berber settlement predominated over Arab . In 742, the Berbers in Al-Andalus rebelled against the Arab Umayyad governors. They took control of the north and unsuccessfully laid siege to the city. The city retained its importance as a literary and ecclesiastical centre well into the mid-8th century, as demonstrated by the Chronicle of 754 . During this period, several letters show of
1885-748: The arrival of rail. Following the July 1936 coup d'etat in Spain , the acting military commander in Toledo, José Moscardó , refused to provide weapons to Madrid and hid instead in the Alcázar with a garrison of about 1,000 rebels, food, ammunition and some hostages. After 21 July, they became subject to an unsuccessful siege by forces loyal to the Republic during the early stages of the Spanish Civil War . Leading rebel general (and soon-to-be " caudillo ") Francisco Franco and his Army of Africa took
1950-571: The baptismal font. The council of 681 assured to the archbishop of Toledo the primacy of Spain. At Guadamur , very close to Toledo, the Treasure of Guarrazar was excavated in 1858, the best example of Visigothic art in Spain. As nearly one hundred early canons of Toledo found a place in the Decretum Gratiani , they exerted an important influence on the development of ecclesiastical law . The synod of 1565–1566 concerned itself with
2015-461: The city of Toledo goes back to Roman times, but it was under Moorish rule and during the Reconquista that Toledo and its guild of swordsmiths played a key role. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, the Toledo sword-making industry enjoyed a great boom, to the point where Toledo steel came to be regarded as the best in Europe. Swords and daggers were made by individual craftsmen, although
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2080-414: The city through the 3rd and 4th centuries. Church councils were held in Toledo in the years 400 and 527 to discuss the conflict with Priscillianism . In 546 (or possibly earlier), Visigoth rulers installed the capital of their kingdom in Toledo. King Theudis was in Toledo in 546, where he promulgated the only law of which records remain from the period, known from a single manuscript. Throughout
2145-452: The city. On 25 May 1085, Alfonso VI of León took Toledo and established direct personal control over the city from which he had been exacting tribute. Around that time, the city's demographics featured a heterogeneous composition, with Mozarabs, Muslims and Jews, to which incoming Christians from northern Iberia and Frankish elements were added. Initially, therefore, different fueros were simultaneously in force for each community. After
2210-513: The civic community, eventually expanding from an urban revolt to anti-seigneurial riots in countryside settlements outside the city. During the persecution of the Jews in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, members of the local Jewish community produced texts on their long history in Toledo. After the crushing of the Revolt of the Comuneros , Charles V 's court was installed in Toledo, with
2275-556: The closure of the factory in the 1980s, the building was renovated to house the campus of the Technological University of Castilla–La Mancha in Toledo. According to the Statistical Institute of Castilla–La Mancha, in 2007 the share of employment by sector was as follows: 86.5% of the population engaged in the services, 6.6% in construction, 5.4% in industry and 1.5% in agriculture and livestock. In
2340-491: The decade up to 2008, unemployment in absolute terms remained fairly stable in the city of Toledo, but in 2009 this figure increased significantly: nearly 62% higher than 2008, with the number of unemployed rising from 2,515 to 4,074 (figures at 31 March each year), according to the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla La Mancha. Of this 62%, one third of the increase took place in the first quarter. According to other statistics from
2405-517: The development of the neighborhoods of Palomarejos and Polígono ensued in the second half of the 20th century. In the 1980s, in the context of the creation of the autonomous communities in Spain, Toledo became the de facto capital of the autonomous community of Castilla–La Mancha , hosting the seat of the Cortes of Castilla–La Mancha (the regional legislature) and the presidency of the regional government (the executive). Toledo continues to be
2470-412: The east, Córdoba in the south-east, Seville , and Huelva in the south and Portugal in the west. With an area of 21,766 km (8,404 sq mi), it is the largest province in Spain . The other province of Extremadura, Cáceres, is the second largest with 19,868 km in area. The province has a relatively lower population density in comparison to other provinces in Spain. As of 2021 ,
2535-679: The exclusion of Toledo from the railway to the Portuguese border in the 1850s, the construction of a rail connection from Castillejo to Toledo promoted by the Marquis of Salamanca was approved in June 1856. The line was opened on 12 June 1858. Tourism fostered by the arrival of rail contributed to the development of the hospitality industry in the late 19th century. By the turn of the 20th century, Toledo's population stood at about 23,000. The neighborhood of Santa Bárbara came into existence after
2600-586: The execution of the decrees of the Council of Trent , and the last council held at Toledo, 1582–1583, was guided in detail by Philip II . Toledo had large communities of Muslims and Jews until they were expelled from Spain in 1492 (Jews) and 1502 ( Mudéjars ). Today's city contains the religious monuments the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca , the Synagogue of El Tránsito , the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz and
2665-559: The forms of Roman law and politics were increasingly adopted. At approximately this time, a Roman circus , city walls, public baths , and a municipal water supply and storage system were constructed in Toletum. The Roman circus in Toledo was one of the largest in Hispania . The circus could hold up to 15,000 spectators. A fragmentary stone inscription records circus games paid for by a citizen of unknown name to celebrate his achieving
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2730-564: The guidance of Alfonso X , known as "El Sabio" ("the Wise") for his love of learning. The Toledo School of Translators , established under Archbishop Raymond of Toledo , continued to bring vast stores of knowledge to Europe by rendering great academic and philosophical works in Arabic into Latin. The Palacio de Galiana , built in the Mudéjar style, is one of the monuments remaining from that period. The Cathedral of Toledo ( Catedral de Toledo )
2795-468: The invitation extended by Director General of Security José Finat y Escrivá de Romaní . The main purpose of the visit was to inspect the Spanish security forces, discuss Spanish-German police cooperation, and prepare for the planned meeting at Hendaye between Franco and Hitler. During his trip, Himmler visited the ruins of the Alcázar. By 1950, the population was around 40,243. Urban planning vis-à-vis
2860-402: The later years of that century and ultimately disappearing by the turn of the 19th century. The Peninsular War affected the city in a very negative way. Over the course of the 19th century, Toledo underwent a progressive change from convent city to bureaucratic city. The city being quite impervious to external influence at the time, the bourgeoisie exerted a limited influence. Following
2925-523: The main towns in the province are Almendralejo , Azuaga , Don Benito , Olivenza , Jerez de los Caballeros , Mérida , Zafra , Montijo and Villanueva de la Serena . There are also traditional comarcas (shires, but with no administrative role) in the province, including La Siberia and Llanos de Olivenza . The capital city of Badajoz is the most important commercial center of the province. The Council of Badajoz has its seat in this city. The province of Badajoz has 673,559 inhabitants (INE 2019), with
2990-459: The monarch choosing the city as his residence at least 15 times from 1525 on. Charles granted the city a coat of arms. From 1528 to 1561 the population increased from 31,930 to 56,270. In 1561, during the first years of his son Philip II 's reign, the royal court was set in Madrid . The archbishops of Toledo remained powerful brokers in the political and religious affairs of Spain for the rest of
3055-404: The most populated urban centre in the province. The next city by population is Mérida , which with 59,335 inhabitants (INE 2019), is home to 8.81% of the province's total population. The population in the province of Badajoz has been characterized by a constant growth until the 1960s, when a strong exodus towards more prosperous areas of the country began, mainly Catalonia and Madrid , reducing
3120-577: The municipality had a population of 83,226. The municipality has an area of 232.1 km (89.6 sq mi). The town was granted arms in the 16th century, which by special royal privilege were based on the coat of arms of the King of Spain . Toledo ( Latin : Toletum ) is described by the Roman historian Livy (ca. 59 BCE – 17 CE) as urbs parva, sed loco munita ("a small city, but fortified by location"). Roman general Marcus Fulvius Nobilior fought
3185-434: The population by almost 200,000 inhabitants in a matter of 20 years. Since the 1980s the population has stagnated below 700,000, with a slight growth until 2010, when the trend is again reversed and the province loses population again. If we observe the trend by municipalities, we can see how the municipalities located in the mountains to the east and south of the province are constantly losing population while those located near
3250-583: The population centres of Badajoz, Mérida, Don Benito or Almendralejo are growing. The historical population is given in the following chart: The economic production differs according to the region and locality. Thus the big cities like Badajoz , Mérida , Don Benito , Almendralejo and others, offer and live from services and to a lesser extent from general industries of medium type. In the regions of Guadiana, Tierra de Mérida – Vegas Bajas, Vegas Altas and part of Tierra de Badajoz, and in Tierra de Barros besides
3315-462: The predominant olive groves in Tierra de Barros, and the vineyards, extensive in Tierra de Barros and in Llerena (Campiña Sur). The industrial sector, although less developed and very low in proportion to national activity, has a proportion of employed population similar to the agro-livestock sector: 12.13% (up to 26% if we include construction) compared to 14% (primary sector). The two main cities of
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#17327726696303380-539: The primacy that the church of Toledo held. Under the Umayyad Emirate of Cordoba , Toledo was the centre of numerous insurrections against Cordobese government from 761 to 857. Girbib ibn-Abdallah, a poet from Toledo, wrote verses against the Umayyads, helping to inspire a revolt in the city against the new emir in 797. By the end of the 8th century, the Umayyads had made Toledo the administrative center of
3445-633: The province has a population of 669,943 inhabitants. Its capital is the city of Badajoz . The province enjoyed great prominence during the Roman empire when Mérida was made one of the capital cities. When the Visigoth period ended and the Moors had invaded Spain, the Ibn-al-Aftas dynasty established a great cultural and scientific centre in the province. Many of the explorers who set out to conquer
3510-636: The province is based on tourism and agriculture . Some of the popular tourist destinations of the province include Badajoz, Fregenal de la Sierra , Jerez de los Caballeros , Llerena, Mérida, Olivenza , Alange, Alburquerque and Almendralejo. The popular dishes include hare, partridge and various pork products. Cornalvo Nature Reserve, the ancient structure of Roman Theatre in Mérida, National Museum of Roman Art in Mérida, Alcazaba City Wall and Ibn Marwan Monument and Espantaperros Tower of Badajoz Fortress are popular tourist spots. The National Museum of Roman Art
3575-413: The province stand out: Badajoz and Mérida, with their respective industrial parks; and the towns of Jerez de los Caballeros, Don Benito-Villanueva and Almendralejo. The tertiary sector is the most predominant sector in the province (61.87% of the population employed), where the business (Almendralejo and Zafra), commercial (Badajoz) and tourism and administrative (Mérida) sectors stand out. The economy of
3640-417: The same source, almost half the unemployed in the city of Toledo (1,970 persons) are among those whose education does not go beyond the compulsory secondary level. However, there are groups whose level of studies is such that they have not been registered as unemployed, including those who have completed class 1 professional training, or those with virtually nonexistent unemployment rates (less than 0.1%), which
3705-406: The sevirate, a kind of priesthood conferring high status. Games were held in the circus late into the 4th and early 5th centuries, an indication of active city life and ongoing patronage by wealthy elites. Toledo started to gain importance in late antiquity. There are indications that large private houses ( domus ) within the city walls were enlarged, while several large villas were built north of
3770-496: The sword-makers guild oversaw their quality. In the late 17th and early 18th century, production began to decline, prompting the creation of the Royal Arms Factory in 1761 by order of King Charles III . The Royal Factory brought together all the sword-makers' guilds of the city and was located in the former mint. In 1777, recognizing the need to expand the space, Charles commissioned the architect Sabatini to construct
3835-677: The synod of 589 the Visigothic king Reccared declared his conversion from Arianism to Catholicism ; the synod of 633 decreed uniformity of Catholic liturgy throughout the Visigothic Kingdom and took stringent measures against baptized Jews who had relapsed into their former faith. Other councils forbade circumcision, Jewish rites and observance of the Sabbath and festivals. Throughout the seventh century, Jews were flogged, executed, had their property confiscated, were subjected to ruinous taxes, forbidden to trade and, at times, dragged to
3900-530: The traditional source of agricultural wealth, there is a flourishing industry of agro-livestock transformation. In other regions more distant from urban centres and the main roads, such as Campiña Sur, La Serena and La Siberia, the main source is the primary sector, i.e. agriculture and perhaps even more livestock (sheep and pig). The agricultural sector is dominated by irrigated areas in the Guadiana Valley (Badajoz, Montijo, Mérida, Don Benito-Villanueva),
3965-421: The uneasy preexisting system of social relations between the moros viejos ('old Moors') and the Old Christians was disrupted. By and large, Granadan new Moriscos were subject to xenophobic abuse and became stigmatised as bloodthirsty and sacrilegious. The city excelled in silk manufacturing during the early modern period. The silk industry reached a peak in the 16th century, entering a protracted decline in
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#17327726696304030-421: Was built between 1226 and 1493 and modeled after Bourges Cathedral , though it also combines some characteristics of the Mudéjar style. It is remarkable for its incorporation of light and features a Baroque altar called El Transparente , several storeys high, with fantastic figures of stucco, paintings, bronze castings, and several colors of marble, a masterpiece of medieval mixed media by Narciso Tomé . For
4095-441: Was centered on the Tagus and bordered Sierra de Guadarrama , Guadalajara , Medinaceli , the Taifa of Valencia and the Mountains of Toledo . The taifa, however, fell into political disarray, owing to the economic draining caused by the parias (tributes) imposed by the Kingdom of León as well as territorial mutilations, and so a revolt erupted in 1079, which was followed by the Aftasid ruler of Badajoz taking control of
4160-531: Was designed in 1980 by architect José Rafael Moneo Vallés and completed in 1985. The architect designed the museum to have a Roman feel and look. Romans used to control present-day Spain, also known as the Iberian Peninsula, in the years following their arrival around 295 BC. Today, Mérida has the greatest number of noteworthy Roman buildings still surviving. It is also famous on an archaeological basis. The museum exhibits remnants of Roman infrastructure and dwellings, including those showing Christian influences like
4225-439: Was the capital, from 542 to 725 CE, of the Visigothic kingdom and was the venue for the Councils of Toledo . The city, seat of a powerful archdiocese for much of its history, has a Gothic Cathedral , and a long history in the production of bladed weapons , which are now common souvenirs of the city. Toledo was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive monumental and cultural heritage. As of 2015 ,
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