Toledo

a city of Spain. It is situated on the Tagus River near the center of the kingdom. It is the capital of the province of Toledo, occupying the basin of the upper Tagus. It was once a densely forested region. Only a few groves are left. The city is the center of much mineral wealth, including gold, silver, lead, iron, quicksilver, copper, and tin. Peas, potatoes, olive oil, wine, flax, oranges, lemons, chestnuts, and melons are for sale in the markets and are exported in considerable quantities. Bees and silkworms do well. Toledo was once noted for silk, woolen cloth, pottery, soap, chocolate, guitar strings, and, above all, for the famous sword known as a Toledo blade. Swords and firearms are still the most important manufactures. Toledo was for centuries the capital of Castile. The cathedral of Toledo ranks next to that of Seville. The Alcazar or royal palace is one of the imposing buildings of Spain. Toledo was the center of the Spanish inquisition. Some famous burnings of heretics took place in the square where bull-fights are now held. The city's prosperity came to a close with the removal of the capital to Madrid in the sixteenth century. The population was at one time 200,000. The present population is about 25,000. See Sword