Toledo

This a view of the city of Toledo. This city served as the capital for the Iberian Peninsula during the reign of the Visigoths and then later for the early Christian kings. In fact, the conquest of Toledo by Alfonso VI of Castillo, marked the most decisive step to the start of the Reconquest by the Christians from the Moorish Taifas. It wasn't until the 16th century that Phillip II moved the capital of Spain from Toledo to Madrid just 70 km to the north.

After having visited both Toledo and Madrid, I was interested to know what motivated the move the traditional sight to the seemingly limited area of Madrid. Toledo, as this picture reflects, immediately has a number of geographic advantages which Madrid does not. The city is almost majestically situated at the top of a mountain and is then surrounded on three sides by the Tagus River. Not only does this river provide water and irrigation resources to the city, but also a route of transportation for commerce and communication. During its time, Toledo was a center of large political, economic, and cultural importance. As the seat of the government, a strongly developed iron trade, and the location of each of the three major religions, Toledo was of significant value. It's conquest marked the transfer of power between the different eras of Spain. However, in the 16th century when Phillip II shifted the capital to Madrid, there was strong support to create a capital in Seville, the economic center of the age. No official decree was made and the city continued to be economically and politically dependent on the court housed there. Madrid is located away from any water source and without the geographic or traditional advantages of either Toledo or Seville. In fact, the area was only moderately built up throughout Roman, Visigoth, and Moorish rule. Nevertheless, the choice of Phillip II and tradition seems to have led to the success of the capital Spain knows today. Interestingly, Madrid was not even considered a city until the 18th century by Spanish standards, because it wasn't until that time that the region housed a cathedral. After visiting the city, I can see a striking difference between the two and can only imagine that political diligence and further tensions between Madrid and Barcelona have led to the modern capital.