Hercules Caves, Roman Cisterns, Medieval Church & Magical Legends
Beneath Toledo lie the legendary Hercules Caves, where remnants of Roman cisterns merge with a Visigothic temple, a mosque and the vestiges of the 12th-c. San Ginés Romanesque church.
Name Origin & Legend
Local lore links these vaults to the mythical Palace of Hercules. Legend says King Rodrigo broke seals on a forbidden chest, unveiling a prophecy of Visigothic downfall. It is said the Table of Solomon and hidden treasures still await here.
The Great Roman Cistern
- Date: late 1st c. AD.
- Function: water reservoir for Roman Toletum.
- Technique: brick vaults and conduits for temporary water storage.
Architectural Layers
- 6th–7th c.: Visigothic Christian temple built above the cistern.
- 8th–11th c.: converted into a mosque after the Muslim conquest.
- 12th c.: San Ginés Romanesque church, used until 1841.
Visiting the Caves
- Floors: ground to second floor with church and mosque remains.
- Basement: illuminated access to the Roman cistern vaults and channels.
- Admission: free Tue–Sat; check city website for hours.
Descend into Toledo’s layered history: admire Roman vaults, medieval arches and hear echoes of Visigothic and Muslim legends in the Hercules Caves.
How to get there
Coordinates:
Decimal: 39.858333°, -4.024167°
DMS: 39°51'30" N, 4°1'27" O
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Comments
casona
2017-05-20 21:47:09
Un sitio pequeño lleno de misterio, que conocen más los extranjeros que nosotros... merece la pena visitarlo.
en la fachada a la izquierda de la puerta... hay piedras restos de construcciones creo que visigodas. Creo que primero fue un edificio romano, luego visigodo, una madrasa musulmana y luego una iglesia medieval que se abandono.... supongo que por eso se conserva aún.
Muy bonita la página e interesante, que nos recuerda los secretos escondidos en nuestra península.