Spectacular ceiling, Toledo, Spain. The intricate woven patterns of painted wood grace the corridor ceiling surrounding the cloister at the Monastery San Juan de los Reyes. Though this is a Catholic monastery, the design influence of the Islamic Moors is unmistakable.

In comparison to today's Spanish capital city, Madrid, Toledo is small, and I was surprised to learn that it was the capital city of Spain until 1561. Known as "la ciudad de las tres culturas" (the city of three cultures) adherents to Christianity, Islam and Judaism once peacefully co-habited here, and it became a great center for translation, a tradition that was revived in 1995 with the re-opening of its School of Translation.

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