La
Mancha
This region, made famous by Cervantes in his "Don Quijote", presents
itself exactly as the visitor expects.
In Illescas, located half on the way between Toledo and Madrid (at 35 km
from each), we find traces of a very old history, from paleolithic to
middle-ages.
The most important monuments are: the Hospital Nuestra Señora de La
Caridad, founded by Cardenal Cisneros. In its interior there are exposed 5
paintings of El Greco; the church Iglesia de Santa Maria, of 13th and 14th
century, with its well-known tower called Giraldilla de Sagra; the church
Iglesia de las Terciarias, with its Puerta de Ugena, an 11th century
Arabian door.
Esquivias was the home-town of Cervantes. Ocaña is worth a visit because
of its Roman remains, its elegant Renaissance palace and its beautiful
main square, Plaza Mayor, of 18th century.
Tembleque , very typical in its regional style, offers an original Plaza
Mayor, with beautiful galleries, and a church in Renaissance style.
In Quintanar de la Orden you will find loads of those windmills that La
Mancha is famous for.
El Toboso is the hometown of Doña Dulcinea, figure of Cervantes' Don
Quijote.
Being dominated by its old fortress and, of course, numerous windmills,
Consuegra has to offer great buildings which confirm its historical
importance: Convento de las Carmelitas, the churches Los Dolores , San
Juan, La Veracruz and Santa Maria, not to forget about the Roman ruins.
Orgaz, of manorial character, has a large Plaza Mayor as well as an old
Roman bridge.
The Route of the Castles
The province
of Toledo has been of great importance during the middle-ages, fact being
evident still today by the large number of old castles you can find in
this region. To visit the most important of them, start your journey in
Guadamur (photo - right), with one of the most beautiful medieval
fortresses of all Spain.
Barciense has a gothic castle, and in Torrijos, the old residential town
of Pedro I. the Cruel you will see the Colegiata with its extraordinary
plateresque portal.
The castle of Maqueda, of 15th century, was built over an old Arabian
fortress. It shows beautiful elements of Mudejar-style. This town was of
great strategical importance and so a lot of famous battles were fought
here.
In the manorial Escalona , hometown of Infante Don Juan Manuel, there are
the ruins of its impressive Alcazar.
The
Route of Handicraft
Toledo's crafts have been of high reputation since the middle-ages, not
only for the capital's famous swords, but as well for ceramics and textile
products.
The ceramics of Talavera de la Reina are celebrated in all Spain for their
high artistic value and quality. In the Museum Ruiz de Luna are exposed
numerous objects from 15th to 18th century. But the town has to offer
great monuments as well: Colegiata de Santa Maria la Mayor (photo - left),
originally built in 1194; the Hermitage Virgen del Prado of 11th century,
with its interior walls covered with splendid ceramic tiles; the 14th
century church Iglesia de Santiago el Nuevo, a great example of Mudejar-architecture.
Puente del Arzobispo is a small medieval town, also with important
ceramics production.
And finally, passing Oropesa, as well of medieval ambience and with an
impressive castle, you arrive to Lagartera. The embroideries and laces
from here have been part and parcel of a Lady's wardrobe in the past.
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La
Mancha 
The province
of Toledo has been of great importance during the middle-ages, fact being
evident still today by the large number of old castles you can find in
this region. To visit the most important of them, start your journey in
Guadamur (photo - right), with one of the most beautiful medieval
fortresses of all Spain.
The
Route of Handicraft 
