Calle Comercio

You’re now walking along Calle Comercio. With a name like that, and the sheer number of stores lining the street, it’s clear you’ve reached Toledo’s most commercial street. Among major fashion brands, you’ll also find a range of souvenir shops, which makes this the perfect moment to introduce you to two of Toledo’s most iconic, yet contrasting, specialities: mazapán and swords. Let’s start with the sweet side. If you haven’t already tried some, treat yourself to one of these local delicacies made of almonds and sugar. Legend has it that marzipan was invented by the nuns of the San Clemente convent during Muslim siege, when food supplies were low. With no flour yet many large reserves of almonds and sugar, they crushed the nuts with hammers and created these dense almond loaves. While the tale is charming, it’s worth noting that sugar only became widespread in Spain after the discovery of the New World, and the first official marzipan recipes date to 1525. That said, even back in the 5th century BCE, Christians were already crafting similar almond-and-honey treats for Easter. Today, marzipan is typically a Christmas dessert, but in Toledo, home to this delicious recipe, you can find it all year-round. So don’t hesitate and take a bite! Now, for something a little sharper: Toledo’s famous swords. As you visit the city, you must have encountered quite a few boutiques with swords inside. Since ancient times, the city’s blacksmiths are renowned for crafting legendary blades. The falcata, created over 2,000 years ago, was said to be a perfectly balanced and fearsome weapon. Between the 15th and 18th centuries, Toledo became the world’s leading center for sword production, and toledan craftsmanship was massively coveted. Why, though? Some say it was because a layer of softer steel hid within the hard blade, preventing it from cracking. Others claim the secret lies on quenching the blades in the mineral-rich waters of the Tagus River, giving it extraordinary attributes. Either way, Toledo remains a major hub for sword craftsmanship, supplying film productions, collectors, and martial arts enthusiasts alike. Feel free to step into one of the many artisan workshops, where you can admire the work up close and even participate at a sword-making activity. Just a heads-up: many souvenir shops sell cheap replicas made in India or China, often styled after swords from movies or TV series. Impressive at first glance, maybe—but don’t mistake them for real Toledo blades!