The last time we went to to see the city of Toledo we decided to visit this beautiful city that we did not know and we were surprised. That’s why we’re here today to tell you about it. what to see in Talavera de la Reina.
Talavera de la Reina. A little history
Talabiraas the Arabs called it, was born one of the most important Muslim cities and it was not until 1328 that “of the queen” was added to it. The “culprit” is King Alfonso XI of Castile, who married his cousin Maria of Portugal and gave her, among other things, this city, and as it belonged to the queen… so it remained 😉.
What to see in Talavera de la Reina?
Now that you know a bit more about its history, you might want to know what there is to see in Talavera de la Reina. what you can see in Talavera de la Reina and although you may know it in its famous tilesthis city has many more things to see.
Are you coming to find out?
TIPS: A good way to get to know the city well is to do this to know the history of the city. and even to complete it with a visit to a ceramics workshop.
Guided tour of Talavera de la Reina
Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Prado, the essential things to see in Talavera de la Reina
We start to see Talavera de la Reina for one of its most important places, the Basilica of Nuestra Senora del Pradowhere it is located the patroness of the city, the Virgen del Prado.
Its origin seems to be a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Ceres, where later was built the old hermitage of the Virgen del Prado, which was enlarged over the centuries and whose current appearance dates from the 17th century.
He is so beautiful and so curious insidethat King Philip II himself called it the “Sistine Chapel” ceramics.He also called it the Queen of Hermitages, and after visiting it, we can only agree with him. 😊
What distinguishes it from other basilicas is that that it is decorated with Talavera tiles. 16th, 18th and 20th centuries hand paintedThe basilica has a plinth that surrounds the entire basilica inside, as well as the pulpits and the sacristy, among others.
TRICK: The basilica is located in the Prado Gardens where you can walk around and don’t miss the tiled fountains.
Ruiz de Luna Ceramics Museum
Have you heard of the famous Talavera de la Reina ceramics and would like to know more? We recommend the best place to do it, which in turn is the main city museum.
THE Ruiz de Luna Ceramics Museum was founded in 1996 and you can find it at the following address Plaza San Agustininside the former convent of the Augustins Recollectifs built in the 17th century.
Dedicated to Talavera de la Reina ceramics, inside you can see a comprehensive display of faience pieces and tiles from Talavera. from the sixteenth to the twentieth century. Some of these pieces belong to the ceramist’s private collection. Juan Ruiz de Luna.
Altarpieces, vases, plates, a fireplace and even the facade of the Ruiz de Luna ceramics factory, all made in so many details and colorsthey will not leave you indifferent. 😍
Walls of Talavera and Towers of Albarranas
The walls of Talavera were one of the city’s most famous landmarks. of the time thanks to the quality of their construction, which made it possible to protect the city from the many attacks it suffered. She ended up having three lines of defense there the first, which is the best preserved was commissioned by Abderraman III in the 9th century.
In the 13th century, the wall was reinforced with 17 Albarran towers built along its entire length, and today 8 remain. even for others, because the passage of time has not been kind to them. 😏
Bridges of Talavera de la Reina
Very close to the walls, you have one of the three bridges of Talavera de la Reina which, in addition to crossing the Tajo River, is the oldest bridge in the city..
We are talking about roman bridgealthough only the foundations of the first span date from this period. It is also known as Puente Viejo or Puente de Santa Catalina and was declared a Property of Cultural Interest in 2021..
From the Puente Romano you will easily see the second bridge, the Queen Sofia Bridge Its red color makes it not go unnoticed. It was inaugurated in 1908 and it is popularly known as the Iron Bridge. because it is made of this material.
The third and most recentsince its opening in 2011, is the Castile-La Mancha Bridgewho has the honor to be the highest cable-stayed bridge in Spain and the second in Europe.. The most curious thing is that… it does not go anywhere, because the device with which the route should connect has not been completed 😉.
Plaza del Pan (Plaza de Santa Maria)
The central town square, which was used as the main square, is called Plaza de Santa Maria and it is a real beauty that you cannot miss. to see in Talavera de la Reina.
Popularly known as Plaza del Panbecause it was here that the Calahorra, the bread distribution office in case of famine, was once located. In the Middle Ages, jousting and tournaments were held there, as well as cane games and processions.
The Plaza del Pan is a square full of charm, with historic buildings like the Archbishop’s Palace, the Town Hall, the Misericordia Hospital – now the Rafael Morales Cultural Center – and the Santa Maria Collegiate Church..
TIPS: Don’t miss anything its benches decorated with Talavera de la Reina ceramics.
Church of Santa María la Mayor (College Church of Santa María).
You cannot leave Plaza del Pan without seeing the Church of Santa María la Mayor. Church of Santa Maria la Mayorwhose origins date back to the 12th century, but the one you are about to see dates from the 15th and 18th centuries.
It is known as La Colegiata, although it was only a collegiate from 1211 to 1851.
Gothic-Mudéjar in style, it is sure to catch your eye even before you enter. the magnificent rose window on the facade..
Inside, don’t miss the altarpieces of Cristo del Mar and Santos Mártires, decorated with ceramics from Talavera, and the Gothic cloister.where there are several funerary monuments, including that of Fernando Rojas, author of La Celestina and mayor of Talavera..
Route of the ceramic murals
If you don’t know what is what to do in Talavera de la Reina and although we have already told you how beautiful and special the ceramics of Talavera are, we are sure that when you see them in the different areas of the city, you will think like us.
In addition to finding ceramics inside the monuments, you can visit in the streets of Talavera de la Reina what are called “murals”. Route of the Muralsin which there are seven murals made with his famous tiles that tell the story and traditions of the city..
TIPS: If you can’t wait go to Talavera de la Reina to see them live, with this virtual tour allows you to discover them without leaving your home..
TIPS: Do you want stay more than a day to visit Talavera de la Reina? If yes, here you can choose the best accommodation.
Places to sleep in Talavera de la Reina
Map of places to see in Talavera de la Reina
Talavera tourist bracelet
A good way to to know the great heritage of the City of Ceramics.is by buying the tourist bracelet with which you can visit the 4 most representative monuments of Talavera de la Reina: the Prado Basilica, the Collegiate Church, the Church of Santiago el Nuevo and the Church of San Andrés.. To buy it we leave you the direct link to the official website.
Where to eat in Talavera de la Reina
Among the “things” to see in Talavera de la Reina are some of its good places to snack, make tapas or eat in abundance. 😄
There are many places to eat in Talaverabut we’ll tell you what we thought of the restaurants we went to.
El Monastery Restaurant
Not far from the city walls and on the banks of the Tagus, you will find this restaurant which serves menu of the day (we ordered the house menu) or you can eat à la carte.
The food is very tasty and we think that for the quantity and quality of cooking it is a good thing, not expensive at all. If we add that all the food is homemadeincluding the desserts and that we were treated very well so we have no choice but to advise you to go there if you visit Talavera 😊.
ADVICE: If you can, choose a table on the terrace overlooking the river..
Address: Avda. Real Fabrica de sedas, 3
Bar Cerveceria La Antigua
If, instead of a good meal, you want a snack or some tapas, this small bar is the ideal place.
Located in the heart of the historic center, behind the Colegiata, all of the town’s restaurants are exceptional places. we liked the tapas and raciones that we tasted very much.especially the torreznos which were delicious.
Portion sizes are pretty decent and all dishes were well done.So, in our opinion, the price you pay is worth it.
Address: Plaza Arzobispo Don Pedro Tenorio, 1
We let you continue see for yourself Talavera de la Reina and we will come back one day to see this city that we really liked.
What did you think of it and do you want to come back? Tell us in the comments.
Greetings travelers 😉
