I noticed a few recent posts that the Transito synogogue in Toledo is closed for renovation. I was in Toledo two weeks ago and wanted to let everyone know that it is open,and one of the highlights of the trip.

Also, due to construction of a new rail line to Toledo it is better to take the express bus between Madrid and Toledo. It takes less than 1 hour. (The train connects with a bus during this time of construction.)

Finally, if you can spend the night in Toledo, do it. It is magical at night when the city is much quieter. (I stayed at the Hostal del Cardenal, which I loved.) It is an uphill walk to Zocodover...or you can take the escalator for easy access to the city.)

Thanks, Spainfan, for letting us know it's opened now...it was closed when I was there last year.

I too loved Hostal del Cardenal.

I don't imagine it's open on Saturdays?

Well, Myer, it should be "open" on Saturdays for services. That's like saying a church wouldn't be "open" on Sundays!

Cool. It was closed when I was there last year as well.

Spainfan, how is the museum?

Marilyn: I imagine there hasn't been a Jewish service there in about 500 years...it stopped being a working synagogue in the 1450s, I believe, with the expulsion of Jews from the city.

Oops, Cooter -- I didn't know. The few synagogues I have visited in Europe have been functional ones. Is it like a museum then?

The synagogue was one of the highlights of my visit to Toledo, it was a stinking hot day and it was a quiet oasis of calm and cool.

The syngogue is now a museum. The sanctuary is a beautifully restored room in which you can feel the presence of the worshippers who attended five hundred years ago. (There are virtually no practicing Jews in Toledo today...there is an open synagogue in Madrid.) The women's balcony is now an exhibit area. If my memory is any good, the balcony used to be rather sparse, without an exhibit. I thought is was more haunting in that state. The museum takes you from the time in Spain when Christianity, Judaism and Islam coexisted peacefully, through the inquisition 500 years ago, and the present. A fascinating look at the Jews in Spain, and their influence.

The first time I was in Toledo (1969) is was a footnote,now, to me,it is the highlight of city.

One more note...I was there midweek, in November. There were no more than 10 people there at the time. If you can get to Toledo when the crowds a minimal it enhances the experience. As I said in the original post, a leisurely, overnight stay enhances the experience.

So, let me ask my question again.

Given its past and present use, is it open on Saturdays?

I found the following on the Jewishsightseeing.com

web site. Does anybody know if it's accurate?
= = = = = =
Tránsito Synagogue: calles de los Reyes Católicos.
Open 10am-1:45pm and 4-5:45pm. Closed Sunday afternoons and Mondays.
Tel. 925/ 22 36 65

Myer,
According to www.toledoweb.org, it's open 10-2, 4-6 Tues.-Sat and 10-2 on Sun. CLOSED MON. It may be that the last ticket must be purchased by 1:45 and 5:45.

Myer.
Oops! Might have posted too soon. I just read a press release about Prince Felipe's inaugurating the reopening of the Museum on Nov. 17. The press blurb said that they had extended the March-Nov. hrs. from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (21 horas)

The toledoweb.org isn't kept very up to date.

Spainfan,
Can you confirm this? And do they know rent audio guides? Thanks.

Make that "now". Typing far too fast today!

I am not sure of the hours. It is closed in the middle of the day.

I used the audio tour, as I did in Santo Tome, 3 museums in Madrid, and the Royal Palace. The audio at the synagogue was very informative. It could have given more information about the inquisition.