Alcázar de Toledo is an excellent museum and absolutely worth visiting. Entry was only 5 euros and they have a basic security check where selfie sticks and drones are not allowed. They also provide lockers to store your items which makes walking around much more comfortable. No one really spoke English during our visit, but everyone was very helpful and made the experience easy. All of the exhibits were interesting and well maintained, and there is even a listening tour available in both English and Spanish which helps you understand the history behind what you are seeing. The third floor is the highest point in Toledo and offers incredible views of the city. It is definitely a highlight of the visit and a great spot for pictures. Overall, I would recommend this museum if you are visiting Toledo and have about two hours to look around. It is a well curated and memorable experience. read more

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Toledo's massive Alcázar, one of the city's most magnificent buildings, is an imposing citadel that sits atop one of the city's most historic sites. The Romans built the first palace here in the 3rd Century, and its ancient foundations can been seen in the massive foyer of the military museum that now calls the Alcázar home. Those foundations, now displayed as part of one of the largest archeological excavations in Spain, are the most interesting part of the massive complex, much of which was reconstructed following the palace's destruction in the 1930s, after a two-month siege by Franco's Nationalist forces. The Alcázar's fascinating role in the Spanish Civil War (it's basically Spain's version of the Alamo) isn't given the attention it deserves in the present museum, which focuses on Spain's military history from the Visigoths to World War II. The exhibits are interesting (particularly the collection of medieval armor and swords), but they seem random and disconnected, and the lack of detail on the history of the palace itself feels like a missed opportunity. Worth maybe an hour of your time, unless you're a military history buff, in which case it's probably worth two. read more

Alcázar de Toledo - The Alcázar as seen from outside Toledo's city walls - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Toledo, TO

Due to renovations of the permanent exhibitions, only the temporary exhibition floor on N3, the courtyard, bookstore and the inside hallways overlooking the excavation area. read more

Alcázar de Toledo - Outside - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Toledo, TO

Moorish citadel occupied from the 10th century on a hill just outside the walled city dominating the horizon. It was not worth going inside, the museum is nothing special. It's an imposing 16th-century edifice & former fortified royal palace, now a Military museum. read more

Alcázar de Toledo - Castle outside the wall - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Toledo, TO

The Alcázar de Toledo is a stone fortification located in the highest part of Toledo. You can't miss it, either from the outside of Town or within. Once used as a Roman palace in the 3rd century, it was restored under Alfonso VI and Alfonso X and renovated in 1535. During the Spanish Civil War, Colonel José Moscardó Ituarte held the building against overwhelming Spanish Republican forces in the Siege of the Alcázar. The incident became a central piece of Spanish Nationalist lore, especially the story of Moscardó's son Luis. The Republicans took 16-year old Luis hostage, and demanded that the Alcázar be surrendered or they would kill him. Luis told his father, "Surrender or they will shoot me." His father replied, "Then commend your soul to God, shout 'Viva Cristo Rey' and die like a hero! The events of the Spanish Civil War at the Alcázar made the structure a symbol for Spanish Nationalism and inspired the naming of El Alcázar, a far-right newspaper that began during the civil war and ended during the Spanish transition to democracy as the mouthpiece for Búnker, a faction who opposed reform after Francisco Franco's death. Here's My Bottom Line - Admire the architecture and larger than life footprint from the outside and at different angles.. It you like boring National Military Museums (newly refurbished and now open), go on in. read more

Alcázar de Toledo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Toledo, TO

It is worth the trip! Must see! Very impressive city built by Arabic's, more that 100 monument, we started the visit by the puente of San Martín, the temperature inside the buildings change from one to another! Lots of churches in this town too Highly recommend read more

It's a truly grand structure situated high on the hill on top of this small, beautiful city. Luckily, there's a bus you can take to the top. The fortress itself is great and the views surrounding it are remarkable. Then, there's an army museum located within it. For €5, you can explore it's exhibits about the Spanish army. I say skip it, it's not had greatest museum. Visiting the fortress itself and enjoying the views is itself a reward and it's free. Don't bother with the museum. read more

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This museum has potential but compared to equivalents in the UK and other countries, this large military establishment falls short. Firstly, maybe it's an inescapable problem but the shape and layout of the historic building hinders your experience: there's no flow between sections or galleries, with huge corridors that don't seem to lead anywhere in particular, rooms with only one doorway so you have to file back past everything you've seen already to exit. Don't get me wrong, I like cannons and detailed collections of 18th century musketry as much as the next person. The Wallace Collection in London is fantastic. However, despite this being the principle collection of the Spanish army, I just didn't find it very interesting. Spanish military history is no less illustrious or impressive than Britain's - or any other European power for that matter - so I don't understand why this was so unexciting. I don't think I've ever been so unthrilled by large arrays of glittering armour. I think it's partially down to some strange curatorial decisions that really detract from the objects on display. Why have huge panels of display glass that aren't completely transparent? Why put very small descriptions on the inside edge of the displays behind the not-quite-transparent glass, so only one person can read it at a time? A even then they have to squint. Why display the large flag collection horizontally, behind the same rubbish glass, and light the room with incredibly yellow bulbs, obliterating the colour of the flags? Why light the rest of the place in this dim milky glow that muddies all the intricate details and dampens any glow? Those arrays of glittering armour are made to look flat and dull. It's as if they almost don't want you to look at the exhibits. Don't get me started on the rooms and rooms and rooms of toy soldiers. One cabinet of them is definitely enough. In terms of pricing it was pretty reasonable, and as a student I got my tickets for €1. Even still, I don't know whether that €1 was worth it. Only small changes are required to elevate this from a middling regional museum to a great national collection, but in its current state I would not recommend a visit. I apologise for being quite so scathing but deadly weapons of the state shouldn't be treated so poorly. read more

We did not visit the Alcazar itself, but we did go around the corner to its library. The sign says the best view of Toledo. The time we visited, the fog was lifting. It has the very best view of Toledo for sure. The coffee was not bad there! Have a view of the city and enjoy a cup of coffee. read more

If you're not into all things military, skip this one and don't look back. It's a large museum dedicated to the Spanish Military through it's long history. While speaking Spanish would certainly boost your understanding of this place, the English signage is suitable. Some neat exhibits (particularly on the Spanish Civil War) and the building is air conditioned nicely, which is a huge plus when visiting Toledo in the summer. read more

I was not crazy about this one. I walked though all of it but it just did not grab me. All about the military and what went on long ago. Took a while to walk though. some cool things, just not for me. read more