Toledo, Spain

This article is about the city in Spain named Toledo. For the most populous city in the United States named Toledo, see Toledo, Ohio. For other uses, see Toledo (disambiguation).

History

Toledo was originally a Roman Empire outpost under the name Toletum. It later served as the capital city of Visigothic Spain, beginning with Liuvigild (Leovigild), and was the capital until the Moors conquered Iberia in the 8th century. Under the Kalphite of Cordoba, Toledo enjoyed a golden age. Under Arab rule, Toledo was called Tolah itolah (Arabic ??????, academically transliterated Ṭulayṭulah).

Related Topics:
Roman Empire - Visigoth - Liuvigild - Kalphite of Cordoba - Arabic - Transliterated

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On May 25, 1085 Alfonso VI of Castile took Toledo and established direct personal control over the Moorish city from which he had been exacting tribute. This was the first concrete step taken by the combined kingdom of Leon-Castile in the Reconquista by Christian forces.

Related Topics:
May 25 - 1085 - Alfonso VI of Castile - Reconquista

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Toledo was famed for its production of steel and especially of swords and the city is still a center for the manufacture of knives and other steel implements.

Related Topics:
Steel - Sword

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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.

Related Topics:
Philip II - Madrid - 1561

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