podtour
Translators, Scholars and Magicians of Toledo
In the Middle Ages, half of Europe believed that magic was taught in Toledo.
El Greco's Life in Toledo: audio walk in Toledo
El Greco through his papers: a lawsuit over the Disrobing of Christ, a façade his son didn't design, the forgotten painter, the price of a miracle, an inscribed stone, a family without a wedding, a boy at the convent door, a house that was never his, his last journey and a hospital on a cloud.
What this walk is about
El Greco arrived in Toledo as an outsider and never explained himself. This walk follows him through his papers: the lawsuit over the Disrobing of Christ beside the cathedral, the Town Hall façade that for centuries was credited to El Greco or his son, the reputation he lost and won back, and, at Santo Tomé, the contract for the Burial of the Count of Orgaz, the lawsuit over its price, the inscribed stone and the lord who was never a count. Then the family his will doesn't name, the boy at the convent door whom Teresa of Ávila wouldn't let anyone send away and who ended up commissioning a chapel from him, the recreated house that was never his, and the site his funeral left from, bound for a tomb that has been lost. It ends at the Tránsito viewpoint, looking out over the view in which he painted a hospital on a cloud.
- Start
- The painter who wouldn't explain himself
- Finish
- A hospital in a cloud
- Who it is for
- A walk for anyone curious about art and painting. For anyone who wants to get to know El Greco before or after seeing his paintings. You don’t need any prior knowledge.
- Languages
- Spanish and British English
The route, stop by stop
An outline of the walk. The full stories are in the app.
Loading the map…
Open a marker to see its page. Use two fingers to move the map on mobile.
- 1
The painter who wouldn't explain himself
- 2
The façade his son didn't design
- 3
The painter of extravagances
- 4
The price of a miracle
- 5
A miracle under contract
- 6
Stop here, traveller
- 7
The family missing from the will
- 8
Three ducats and a child at the door
- 9
The house that wasn't his
- 10
The last journey
- 11
A hospital in a cloud
Walking directions are based on mapped pedestrian routes. Check local access and signs; the route is not an accessibility guarantee. Times are approximate.
Toledo, before you go
Toledo fits into a walk, though rarely a straight line. Good soles and a plan by area do more for the trip than an endless list of monuments.
More walks nearby
Good to know
What is Podtour?
An app for self-guided audio walks. Choose a city and a route, then listen to the stories behind its streets. You decide when to start and when to stop.
When can I download the app?
Podtour is coming to iOS and Android. There is no confirmed launch date yet. Join the waitlist and we will let you know when it is ready.
Does Podtour include attraction tickets?
No. Street walks and monument audio tours do not include admission tickets, transport or a guide accompanying you.
Can I listen without an internet connection?
Download the audio in the app before heading out, then listen offline. Loading the online base map and calculating a new route from your location require a connection.
What languages are included?
Every route includes Spanish and British English. The English version is adapted for English-speaking travellers, rather than translated word for word.
How do I get a whole city for free?
Join the waitlist, choose a city and confirm your email address. When the app launches, we will email you with access details. No card is required. You can also try one free route in every city.
Can I buy for myself or for a group?
Yes. Your own access is included and you can choose 0–5 guests: up to 6 people including you. Each guest saves up to €0.50 on a walk, €1 on a pack or €2 on a whole city compared with buying separately. The counter shows the total before you confirm one payment.
How do I share, and when must guests accept?
After paying, share your purchase’s invitation link. Each guest opens it in Podtour and accepts their place on their own iPhone or Android phone. They must redeem it within 30 days of purchase. Unclaimed places then expire and cannot be recovered or renewed. Access accepted in time is kept. Opening the link does not use a place; one account takes just one place, and no more people can join once all places are taken.
Can I add guests after buying?
No. Choose all your guests before confirming the first purchase. Afterwards you can share the places you paid for, but you cannot increase their number or restart the 30-day deadline.
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One city per person. All its Podtour routes in Spanish and English. Available at launch. Offer details.