podtour
Toledo's Water and the Alcántara Bridge
Toledo is almost surrounded by the Tagus, and for centuries it hauled its water uphill on the backs of donkeys.
Power in Toledo: cathedral, Alcázar and town hall: audio walk in Toledo
Who ran Toledo when the king wasn't there: a cardinal and his hospital, an empty palace, the widow who governed the defeated city, a queen who took refuge in the cathedral, the cathedral chapter, the city, a tribunal and a council of 589.
What this walk is about
For centuries Toledo was a capital without a court, and power was shared out among those who stayed. The walk begins outside Cardinal Mendoza's hospital, climbs to the Alcázar that was rebuilt for a king who hardly ever came, and pauses with María Pacheco, who governed the city and negotiated for it after the defeat of the Comuneros. It comes down with the court that left in 1561, meets a queen who refused to leave the cathedral and reads who signed a doorway. In front of the main façade, the first stone of 1226; in front of the Town Hall, the fireworks of 1732 and some verses for those who govern. Then two brothers on opposite sides, a tribunal that kept moving house and, at the end, the council of 589 at which a queen signed: Church and Crown sharing the city from the very beginning.
- Start
- The cardinal who left everything to a hospital
- Finish
- May 589: the queen signs
- Who it is for
- For Anyone interested in political and urban history. For anyone who wants to understand the city of the archbishops. 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 cardinal who left everything to a hospital
- 2
A palace for an absent king
- 3
The woman who led a defeated city
- 4
May 1561: the court leaves Toledo
- 5
The queen who wouldn't leave the cathedral
- 6
The signatures on a gateway
- 7
The first stone of a cathedral already begun
- 8
Fireworks, slights and verses on a staircase
- 9
Two brothers on opposite sides
- 10
The tribunal that kept moving
- 11
May 589: the queen signs
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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on Podtour.
Join the waitlist and get one whole city free when Podtour launches. You choose where.
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One city per person. All its Podtour routes in Spanish and English. Available at launch. Offer details.