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| Toledo |
The landlocked region of Castile-La Mancha is with its area of roughly 80,000 km2 Spain's third-largest autonomous community spanning across the five provinces of Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara, and Toledo. The community is sparsely populated with only 2.1 million inhabitants and none of its cities has over 200,000 inhabitants. However, Castile-La Mancha is the heartland of Spain's cultural and literary legacy.
Here you can walk in the footsteps of Cervantes on windswept plains dotted with ancient windmills, across scenic landscapes and through medieval towns that have remained virtually unchanged since the time of the literary giant. Below I have compiled a shortlist of some of the most impressive sights for you to enjoy on your next visit to Castile-La Mancha!
Top Spots
1. Casco Histórico, Toledo
The historical town centre (Casco Histórico) of this magnificent medieval town is definitely one of the most interesting of its kind in Spain, if not the most interesting. The awe-inspiring sights of the Alcázar and the Cathedral render an unforgettable impression of Spain's glorious medieval past. If you want to visit Castile-La Mancha, Toledo is a must-see!
2. Casas Colgadas de Cuenca, (Hanging Houses of Cuenca), Cuenca
Cuenca is one of the most curious little towns you are likely to ever see. The hanging houses are placed at the very edge of the rocks overhanging the Huécar river below. Considering the houses date back to the 14th or 15th century, there appears to be no exact consensus, what you´ll witness is an extraordinary architectural feat. The houses have been refurbished many times, most recently in the 1920s and as a result do not appear as old as they are. Today, the houses are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Crossing the bridge over the Huécar River and walking on the trails above the abyss is an amazing experience. One of the houses also host an abstract art museum, believe it or not!
3. Los Calares del Mundo y de la Sima Natural Park, Albacete
4. Serrania de Cuenca, Cuenca
5. Las Lagunas de Ruidera, Albacete
5. Catedral Primada Santa María de Toledo, Toledo
6. Palacio del Infantado, Guadalajara
7. Campo de Criptana, Ciudad Real
The huge wind-swept plains of Campo de Criptana are at the very heart of Spain's cultural and literary legacy. Here you can follow in the footsteps of Miguel de Cervantes and see a virtually unchanged landscape with the same windmills he contemplated as inspiration for his immortal archetypal character Don Quixote's fight with the giants.
8. Pasaje Lodares, Albacete
Castile-La Mancha on the Map
Most Interesting Cities
1. Toledo 85,000 - 715.000
2. Cuenca 55,000 - 220,000
3. Guadalajara 85,000 - 260,000
4. Ciudad Real 75,000 - 525,000
5. Albacete 175,000 - 405,000
Climate
Places of interest
Cuenca
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| Casas colgadas, Cuenca |
Food
Migas
Migas means breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs are fried in olive oil with other ingredients to give it flavour, such as bits of chorizo, jamón, peppers, onions, meat, or even codfish. There are many variants going by the names of migas extremeñas, migas manchegas, or migas de pastor. It is mainly served in Extremadura, Castilla La Mancha, and Aragon.
Duelos y quebrantos (Castilla La Mancha)
It doesn't get any more traditional than this dish. Duelos y quebrantos is described in Cervantes's work as the very dish Don Quijote enjoyed on Saturdays. It consists of scrambled eggs with fried bacon bits and chorizo.
