Castile-La Mancha is an autonomous community in central Spain with the capital Toledo.
Castile-La Mancha is home to Don Quixote of La Mancha, Manchega cheese, and a region of amazing cliff-top villages and majestic castles.
Photo: Nature of Castile-La Mancha Castile-La Mancha is a Spanish region in the center of the country, which the citizens of this country are very proud of. The culture and customs of local residents have absorbed the traditions of various cultures: Christian, Moorish and Jewish. It was through the vastness of Castile-La Mancha that the famous Don Quixote traveled.
You can see all the beauty of the nature of Castilla-La Mancha in this video:
Castile-La Mancha meets travelers with a huge variety of nature, landscapes and attractions. Hundreds of bird species nest in local reserves and parks, some of which are on the verge of extinction.
The Romans built fortified cities here - their ideally planned structures were completed and rebuilt by the Moors, and later used by the Spaniards.
Endless fields, numerous windmills and medieval fortresses, which were built during the religious campaigns, await guests.
In Castile-La Mancha, people like to celebrate holidays, so there are many of them. They are closely intertwined Christian traditions, pagan rites and beliefs.
Carnival in Villarrobledo is popular not only in this town, but throughout the region. During it, costume processions pass through the streets, and wandering musicians perform. The start date of the holiday is tied to Easter, and the celebrations last more than ten days.
Photo: Carnival in Villarrobledo In September, the city of Albacete turns into a huge marketplace as a fair opens here. To attract tourists and for more entertainment, bullfighting is arranged.
In Castile-La Mancha, there are sales at the end of winter and in the second half of summer. At this time, buyers can purchase goods of popular and expensive brands with a discount of up to 70-80%.
Geographic features
Photo: View of the City of Toledo The vast, heart-like territory of La Manche Castile, which is also called New Castile, is seemingly lifeless. Almost a quarter of it is the plains scorched by the sun. The people live off the cultivation of olives, saffron, wheat and wine, as the world's largest vineyards flourish here.
There are places with fertile moist soils, for example, the Tablas de Daimiel Nature Reserve. You can hide from the heat in the mountainous regions of the Sierra de Alcatraz and the Toledo Mountains.
Climate
Castile-La Mancha is characterized by a climate with large temperature fluctuations. It is very hot in summer - from 30 ° C or more, and in winter it is cold, there are frosts even down to -20 ° C.
How to get there and move around
Photo: Map of Castile-La Mancha Why go
The landscapes of Castile-La Mancha are very colorful - terracotta rolling plains, islands of olive groves, fields of gold and endless vineyards. Here you can follow the footsteps of Don Quixote, drink fine wine and taste the local manchego cheese. This region can fight with its neighbor Castile and Leon for the primacy in the beauty of castles and cathedrals.
When to go
The best time to visit is spring, when everything is in bloom and the weather is perfect. Autumn is also great, especially for tours of villages and nature reserves.
Cultural features
Photo: Statue of Dulcinea and Don Quixote Castile-La Mancha is a mix of the greatest number cultures: ancient Roman, Visigothic, Christian, Muslim and even Jewish. It was once the center of religious wars, which served as the basis for the construction of fortifications. Modern La Mancha is also very religious at times to the point of fanaticism, when on Easter some men allow themselves to be crucified.
This region is famous all over the world for the fact that the book character Don Quixote and his faithful Sancho Panso wandered here. There are many places of this sad knight here: windmills in the hills, Dulcinea's house in the city of El Toboso and caves in Las Lagunas de Ruidera.
What to see
There are hundreds of attractions in Castile-La Mancha, but we carefully studied the reviews of tourists and selected the top 10 best:
Toledo Cathedral- a wonderful structure, the construction of which began 9 centuries ago. It contains a very ancient and revered by Christians statue of the Virgin Mary. It is here that pilgrims come with their requests.
Photo: Cathedral in Toledo - on this place there were fortifications of the Romans, Visigoths and Arabs. It was once assumed that this would be the residence of the king, but later the capital was moved to Madrid and the Alcazar was not used for this purpose.
Photo: Alcazar Fortress in Toledo - Once upon a time, a lot of Jews lived in this region, who settled in one area of the city of Toledo. It was the richest and most prosperous area.
Photo: Jewish Quarter - do not be discouraged when you see it outside. All wealth is hidden from prying eyes. The cozy and original patio creates a pleasant contrast with the surrounding reality.
Photo: Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo - the pride and symbol of Castile - La Mancha. They have survived here and there, but near this town they create an absolutely incomparable view.
Photo: Complex of windmills near Campo de Criptana Cuenca- it is called the city in the rock. The guests are amazed by the houses and buildings hanging over the abyss.
Photo: Cuenca - openwork, almost an air bridge over an abyss. From here, there is simply a stunning view of the surroundings.
Photo: Bridge of San Pablo in Cuenca Is an active transport hub where trains from neighboring regions arrive. All guests are amazed by the old Arabic style in which this station is made.
Photo: Train station in Toledo Palace in Guadalajara – luxury home with countless ornaments, decorative elements and openwork ornaments.
Photo: Palace in Guadalajara - in this inconspicuous church there is a real masterpiece: the painting "The Burial of Count Orgaz" by the great El Greco. It was painted by her especially for this church, and, surprisingly, this canvas has never left its limits.
Photo: Church of Sao Tome in Toledo Main places and cities of sights
Metropolitan Toledo is the leader in photo shoot tours for its beauty and attractions:
- The majestic and somewhat gloomy castle Alcazar;
- The magnificent Cathedral of St. Mary;
- Wonderful medieval streets.
Ciudad Real also has something to show:
- Fortification of 4 km of fortress walls and 30 fortress towers;
- Castles New and Old Calatrava, Bolaños de Calatrava, St. John and Salvatierra;
- Don Quixote Museum.
Other interesting cities:
- Balmont and Calatrava da Nueva are home to some of the oldest castles in Spain;
- Alcala del Jucar, the most picturesque village with houses in caves and cliffs, has been declared a Historical and Artistic Monument of Spain;
- Hanging over the precipice of Cuenca, as well as Sigüenza and Almagro.
What to do in Castile-La Mancha
Photo: El Greco in the Church of Sao Tome in Toledo Castile - La Mancha has a huge amount of entertainment for body and soul. We've looked at reviews from travelers and have compiled a list of the top 20 things to do in this part of Spain:
- Feel like the famous Don Quixote and follow the route of the great wanderer. It remains only to find a companion for the role of Sancho Panza.
- To go inside the Jewish quarter and wander along its streets - unfortunately, much was destroyed during the years of persecution of Jews, but still part of their heritage has survived.
- Think of the eternal before the figure of the Virgin Mary in the Cathedral of Toledo.
- Get into the Alcazar fortress and feel like an ancient conqueror who needs to defend himself from enemies.
- Fight windmills near Campo de Criptana. I wonder who will be the winner in this fight?
- Check your vestibular apparatus, standing on the San Pablo Bridge in Cuenca, and then marvel at the fearlessness of the inhabitants of the houses hanging over the abyss.
- Take a break from the summer heat in the shady courtyard of the Convent of San Juan de los Reyes in Toledo, once in the wealthy Jewish District.
- Enjoy the work of the famous El Greco at the Church of Sao Tome in Toledo. It is surprising that over the past time this canvas has never been taken out of the church.
- Sit on a bench in Toledo train station and take the time to gaze at this beautiful place, for which passengers often have absolutely no time.
- Walk through the luxurious halls of the beautiful palace in Guadalajara and marvel at the beauty of the decor and decoration.
- Take a photo shoot tour of the city of Toledo, while visiting local museums.
- Visit all 5 fortresses in Ciudad Real that the city owes to the Reconquista.
- Visit one of the wonders of Spain - the natural park Las Lagunas de Ruidera of 15 lakes and Lagoon.
- Feel like a romantic Don Quixote next to the windmills in the village of Consuegra.
- Take one of the walking routes: "Route of Castles", "Way of Don Quixote" or "Route of Black (Shale) Villages".
- See the incomparable city of Cuenca, where people live in houses just above the precipice.
- Visit the Museum of Abstraction in one of the houses in Cuenca.
- Taste well-ripened Manchego cheese with the finest La Manche wines.
- Forget the hustle and bustle with a glass of excellent beer in the waterfront café of the wonderful town of Alcala del Jucar.
- Explore the little-known and untouched ancient Roman settlement of Valeria.
Shopping (What and where to buy)
Photo: Saffron spice Castile-La Mancha has many of its own special and original souvenirs, which tourists take home with great pleasure:
- Blades - local knives have become famous all over the world for the quality of the blade and the sophistication of decoration. Collectors love to purchase knives from Castile for their collections.
- Wine - every year winemakers in this region create hundreds of thousands of liters of wine and deliver it to the whole world.
- Keso manchego is a famous sheep's cheese, which is made from the whole milk of only local sheep.
- Various metal products (plates, vases, stands) made in the Damascus style are a well-known style of working with metal, during which original drawings are created using silver and gold threads.
- Saffron - many travelers are surprised to learn that the most expensive spice in the world is grown and created in this region. Unlike Indian saffron, the Spanish version has a brighter aroma.
Where to live
Photo: Room at the Hotel Exe Cuenca There are many good and inexpensive hotels in Castile-La Mancha, so we have selected the top 5 most interesting in terms of price / quality ratio:
- NH Toledo (Travesia Marques de Mendigorria 8-12 | Covachuelas, 45003 Toledo) is literally 10 minutes from the borders of the old city. Spacious rooms with all modern amenities including air conditioners.
- AC Hotel Ciudad de Toledo (Carretera Circunvalacion 15, 45004 Toledo) - beautiful building with original decor... Nicely decorated rooms and delicious breakfasts for hotel guests.
- The Sercotel Hotel Pintor el Greco (Calle Alamillos del Transito 13, 45002 Toledo) is an old hotel, renovated and supplemented with modern equipment for the comfort of its guests. Located five minutes walk from the historic center.
- Hotel Exe Cuenca (Avenida Juan Carlos I s / n, 16004 Cuenca) is a cozy hotel with clean and spacious rooms. Free parking is provided for guests by car.
- Hotel La Casa de los 3 Cielos (Calle Libertad 11, 13610 Campo de Criptana) is a charming hotel in the style of the unusual and mysterious hero Don Quixote. Friendly staff, clean and comfortable rooms, and a hearty breakfast await guests.
Voucher plan, tours for 1-3-7 days
The Castile-La Mancha region is fraught with many mysteries and secrets that are gladly revealed to curious travelers. We have put together an interesting route in which we tried to cover all the most remarkable.
| Day | Morning | Dinner | Evening |
| 1 | Toledo. Cathedral. Museum at the Cathedral. | Museum "Mysterious Spain". Church of San Andres. | Monastery of Santa Isabel. El Greco Museum. After exploring the city, stop by the popular La Maruja Patio Bar & Grill (Calle Cortes, 1, (Dentro del Paseo del Transito), which serves excellent meat dishes. |
| 2 | Alcazar fortress. We advise you to spend at least half a day exploring this powerful structure in order to feel its spirit. | Museum of Santa Cruz in the old building of the former hospital. It houses a large collection of Spanish artists. After the museum, go to dinner at the Bar Ludeña restaurant (Plaza Magdalena, 10), whose regular guests are advised to try the cuttlefish dish from the chef. | |
| 3 | Church of San Juan de Los Reyes. | Synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca. The streets of the Jewish quarter. | Museum of Victorio Macho, dedicated to the work of the famous sculptor. St. Martin's Bridge. On the other side of the river, El Fogon Del Quijote (Ctra. Navalpino, 1) serves delicious home-style dishes. |
| 4 | Campo de Criptana. Mills. | Alses Park, in the shade of which you can have a small picnic. | Alcazar de San Juan. Hidalgo Museum with interactive exhibits that help to better understand the way of life of people in Spain in the 16th century. Nearby there is a restaurant Restaurante La Cayetana (Pasaje de la Plaza España, 1, 13600 Alcázar de San Juan, Cdad. Real), where cod is prepared according to their original recipe. |
| 5 | Cuenca. Cathedral. | Hanging houses. Museum of Abstract Art. | Church of San Pedro. Bridge of San Pablo. |
| 6 | An enchanted city near Cuenca. | Belmonte. Franciscan castle. | Fortress walls. Church of St. Bartholomew. There are not many restaurants here, but appreciate the quality of service and taste of food at Hostal Rural & Restaurante La Muralla (Calle Osa de la Vega, s / n), which many tourists recommend in their reviews. |
| 7 | Aranjuez. Royal palace with garden and fountains. | Toledo. Train Station. |
What and where to eat
Photo: Marzipans Castile-La Mancha has developed its own culinary traditions, in which there are differences from the neighboring Spanish regions. We have collected the top 5 of the most original and delicious dishes:
- Karkamusas is the most tender venison or pork stew with green peas and tomatoes in wine sauce and various spices. It is often served during large family celebrations and for dear guests.
- Ataskaburras - original combination mashed potatoes with walnuts and salted cod. Cod is generally loved and appreciated here.
- Gazpacho toledanas is thick, rich meat broth with tomatoes, garlic and white wine. Sometimes mushrooms are added to it, but this is not a required ingredient.
- Manchego is a local hard sheep's cheese that is produced only in this region.
- Marzipans - they are made from ground almonds with added sugar. This mixture is then boiled or baked.
Kitchen
In Castile-La Manche, the famous sheep cheese manchego is brewed (in the lane "manchego" - manchego). Cervantes glorified this region and its cuisine in his work, but in general it is similar to the cuisine of Castile and Leon. A unique dish that is prepared only here is gazpacho toledanas made from rabbit and poultry, tomatoes, garlic, white wine with slices of bread (flat cakes).
Best excursions according to reviews
Castile-La Mancha has many interesting places and sights. Some can be seen on their own, but sometimes the most exciting experiences can only be experienced with an experienced guide. We have selected the top 5 best group excursions according to tourist reviews:
- Horseback Riding in Cuenca - On horseback, it is easy to imagine yourself as a medieval knight or the world famous Don Quixote traveling through this region.
- Toledo at night - the life of the city was conducted not so much on large squares and wide streets, as in numerous patios. In the evening, in the light of the moon and lanterns, the city takes on a completely different look. Ancient facades begin to tell legends and stories about the life of the former inhabitants.
- Shalom of Toledo - this city was once called the Spanish Jerusalem because there were so many Jews living in it, who truly founded a “city within a city” - the Jewish quarter was fenced in with a separate wall.
- In the footsteps of the great Don Quixote - follow the route of the famous Spanish hero and his faithful companion Sancho Panza. Much will be revealed to the participants along the way.
- Cuenca is a city over a precipice. Once it was located at the intersection of the main routes of Spain, which became the basis for the development of this city. Merchants from all over the country flocked here for successful deals and prosperity.
The sights of the city of Toledo can be seen in this video:
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Here are the largest vineyards in the world. Autonomy covers 15.7% of the area of Spain and includes five provinces: Albacete, Guadalajara, Cuenca, Ciudad Real and Toledo (capital). 67% of the territory is located at an altitude of 600 - 1000 meters above sea level, and 20% at an altitude of 1000 - 2000 meters. Castile-La Mancha is located on the huge plateau of the Castilian plateau, divided by the Central Cordillera ridges into Starokastilskoe and Novocastilskoe.
Winemaking and viticulture in this autonomy, which today produces half of all Spanish wine, form the basis of its economy. The Moors, who dominated this territory for several centuries, called this land "al-Mancha" (dry) because of its continental climate with a long sultry summer (often up to +45 o C), and cold winters (at night up to -15 o C) ... Precipitation occurs mainly in spring and autumn, often in the form of hurricane showers.
La Mancha is a sea of vineyards on a limestone plateau stretching over the horizon. All DOs of Castile-la-Mancha have their own face and history, on the counter-label of wines of the largest DO La Mancha - 193,904 hectares, Don Quixote is depicted sitting on his Rocinante. His memory is alive in this land.
When, in the 19th century, phylloxera destroyed almost all plantings in Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Rhone Valley and other areas of winemaking, French winemakers and vintners feverishly searched for sources of raw materials. Wine for the French was an indispensable foodstuff, therefore, in response to market demands in Castile-la-Mancha, where before the French disaster, mainly wheat was grown, the area under the vines increased fivefold. Wheat was replaced by grapes. Here unpretentious red varieties Garnacha and Tempranillo, which is called Sensibel here, and white Airen and Macabeo were planted. Today, DO La-Mancha vineyards are scattered across four of the five provinces of New Castile.
Almansa
It so happened historically that the lands on which this wine-growing region is located never had an independent destiny and played the role of a link between the powerful kingdoms of Castile and Aragon and the lands overlooking the Mediterranean. The visiting card of Almans and his wine-making DO is the Almans fortress reigning over the city. She stands on a steep mountain overlooking the plateau. The vineyards are located on average at an altitude of 700 meters; the climate is no better than in the whole of New Castile, perhaps a little more severe: hail often occurs in spring and autumn.
Typical wines from Garnacha Coloring - one of two Spanish varieties with colored flesh (70% of all plantings) - young, aromatic, ripe pomegranate color, reaching 15% of the fortress. The other two typical varieties are Monastrell and Tempranillo (Sensibel). Monastrell is able to survive the dramatic temperature changes in this semi-arid climate. Blending is popular, the three varieties are combined in search of a new taste.
The limestone-sandy soils of the region are very poor in organic matter, the yield is low due to the low amount of precipitation (350 mm per year), but the grapes have an optimal ratio of acid and sugar. The rosé wines here are very fresh and light, while the whites are fragrant, light golden in color, typical for New Castile wines from the Airen variety. The area under the vineyards is 7600 hectares.
Bodegas Piqueras - produces white, pink and red Castillo de Almansa (Almansa Fortress). To the honorary list best wines 2003, selected by the tasters of the Spanish group Gourmet, its red crianza from Monastrell (30%), Tempranillo (20%) and Garnacha Red (20%) varieties, aged in a barrel for 12 months. Wine of ripe pomegranate color, with strong tannins, fresh intense aroma with balsamic and herbal tones, notes of eucalyptus, dried fruit, coffee and dark chocolate.
La-Mancha
This sub-region covers half of the region's area. The vine covers 193,904 hectares - more than in French Bordeaux, 30% of Spanish DO wines are made here. DO unites 299 bodegas, for local producers winemaking is a lifelong business, their wines today surprise with their high quality and cheapness.
The mountains surrounding New Castile prevent the penetration of moist sea winds, so the land suffers from a lack of moisture, due to low rainfall (300-400 mm per year), so the yield is low, but the quality of the grapes is excellent. The limestone-sandy soils of the region are very poor in organic matter, vine roots, in search of water and nutrients, you have to penetrate very deep into the soil. A favorite of the vineyards is the white Airen, which produces pale golden wines with a fresh, pleasant aroma and light universal taste. Of the red varieties, the most interesting is Sensibel (Tempranillo).
In 1961, a cooperative was founded in the town of Tomelloso, which grew into the largest winery in the world: Virgen de las Viñas (Virgen de las Viñas). Every year, 180 million kilograms of grapes are processed here, and 70 million liters of wine are produced.
Bodegas Centro Españolas (Bodegas of Central Spain) is the first estate in La Mancha to produce aged wines. The second direction is brandy from the Airen variety. In 2000, their famous wine Allozo won a gold medal in Bordeaux and many other awards.
The Rama Corta brand from Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon red and white from Airen and Macabeo are widely known.
Here they have long been engaged in the distillation of grape alcohols and their subsequent aging in wooden barrels according to the "Soleras and Criaderas" method.
Manchuela
This wine-growing region received official recognition only in 2000. There are two types of vineyards: with and without drip irrigation systems. Of course, the productivity of irrigated vineyards is much higher, but it is limited by strict limits: up to 80 hl / ha for white varieties and 70 hl / ha for red varieties. The main variety, occupying 70% of all areas, was and remains the red Bobal, from which unusually beautiful ruby-red wines are obtained. That is why, over the years, winemakers from other regions bought anonymous wine from these vineyards in barrels to improve the color of their wines.
The dry continental climate of this zone differs from the neighboring ones in that at night the damp and cool Mediterranean winds replace the scorching sun of the day. They slow down the ripening process of the grapes.
Mentrida
In this wine-growing region at the beginning of the twentieth century, after the invasion of phylloxera, the productive red Garnacha was planted. This is still the main variety of this DO - it occupies 80% of the territory. The typical wines of the area, juicy, bright crimson reds and aromatic rosés, are a true Spanish bestseller. The new rules of the DO Council, seeking to diversify the wine-growing picture of the region, allow planting reds: Sensibel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah; whites: Albillo, Macabeo, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo.
Mondejar
The wines of this denomination are made mainly from white variety Malbar, minor landings of Macabeo and Torontes. Red is the famous Tempranillo, and Cabernet Sauvignon is also allowed. It is a hilly plain, the climate is Mediterranean, the soil is poor, easily permeable, which provides moisture access to the roots. And although the conditions for winemaking are favorable, and the wines are of very high quality, there is not a single bodega that has made its region famous.
Valdepeñas
The name of this wine-growing region of southern La Mancha has become in Spain synonymous with draft red wine, which is served daily for lunch or dinner in countless bars and restaurants. This is an inexpensive red wine that has been accustomed to since childhood. However, the glory of red wine does not extend to white wine from the same area.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, when phylloxera destroyed all vineyards in the neighboring areas, Valdepenas had been selling wine from his cellars without interruption for many years. The reserves were so great that they were enough until the plantings were restored.
Revolutionary changes in the economy, industry and agriculture in Spain have affected this area as well. The equipment was modernized almost everywhere, mechanized harvesting was introduced - all this serves as a guarantee of the quality of future wine.
The undisputed favorite among red varieties is Sensibel, whites - Airen. There is a harsh continental climate with very cold winters (up to -10 0 С) and sultry summers (up to + 40 0 С), 350 mm of precipitation per year. The soils are rich in limestone, the layers of which, where they come to the surface, have to be destroyed, helping the roots of the vines to make their way into the depths.
The Félix Solis bodega produces both the typical and most prestigious pink and red Viña Albali from the Sensibel variety. They have reached such a high quality that they may well claim the title of a symbol of Spanish winemaking.
Dominio de Valdepusa
In July 2002, the La Mancha autonomy government approved a personal DO for the estates of Don Carlos Falco, Marquis de Grignon, who is an iconic figure in Spanish winemaking. The wines of the Marques de Grinon brand are widely known in Spain. Don Carlos Falco's famous brand, Dominio de Valdepusa, has been produced outside of DO for many years. He was simply cramped within a tightly regulated framework. Now - an unprecedented case - a special DO has been created for these wines, which controls the following brands of red wines:
Dominio de Valdepusa Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18-24 months in a barrel);
Dominio de Valdepusa Petit Verdot (100% Petit Verdot, 8 months in barrel);
Dominio de Valdepusa Sirah (100% Syrah, 11 months in a barrel).
Population: 2,043,000 (4.42% of the Spanish population). The largest city: Albacete (164,700 inhabitants).
Originally Castile-La Mancha and Madrid were part of the historical region of New Castile, but in the process of formation new system the autonomous regions were divided due to the large difference in socio-demographic characteristics between the Spanish capital and the rest of the provinces of New Castile. The province of Albacete, formerly part of Murcia, was annexed to Castile-La Mancha.
The region is renowned worldwide for Don Quixote, a classic novel by Miguel Cervantes de Saavedra, set on the plains here. Nowadays La Mancha with its sunflowers, olive orchards, windmills, Manchego cheese and the story of the noble Don Quixote is one of the symbols of Spain.
Geography and climate of Castile-La Mancha
The Autonomous Region of Castile-La Mancha is located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula. Its area is 79,463 square kilometers (15.7% of the territory of Spain; the third place among the Spanish autonomous regions). It occupies the southern part of the Central Castilian Highlands. The central mountain system separates it from the northern part of the plateau, where the autonomous region of Castile and Leon is located. In the northeast is the Iberian mountain range, in the south - the Sierra Morena and Montes de Toledo. Geographically, Castile-La Mancha is divided into two regions. The central Castilian plateau is characterized by a flat relief. The highest of the local peaks - Las Vilyuercas (1,601 meters) and Rosigalgo (1,447 meters) - are located in the Montes de Toledo system, which crosses the region from west to east. Montes de Toledo divides the southern part of the Central Castilian Highlands between the basins of the Tajo and Guadiana rivers.
The mountain ranges that stretch in the northern part of the province of Guadalajara near the border with Madrid and Segovia are part of the Central Mountain System. The rivers Jarama, Canyamares and Henares originate here. Part central system, located in the province of Toledo, approaches the southern part of the Sierra de Gredos. The Sierra Morena forms the natural border between Castile-La Mancha and Andalusia. On the territory of the region there are basins of five rivers - Tahoe, Guadiana and Guadalquivir flow into the Atlantic Ocean, Hucar and Segura carry their waters into the Mediterranean Sea.
The continental Mediterranean climate prevails here - in comparison with the neighboring regions of Spain, Castile-La Mancha is less influenced air masses formed over the Mediterranean Sea, winters are colder, summer months are hotter. The temperature in summer often rises above + 30 ° С. In winter, temperatures often drop below 0 ° C; sometimes it snows. Cachstilia-La Mancha is traditionally called Espana Seca (dry Spain): in the central part of the region, the annual rainfall, as a rule, does not exceed 400 mm. However, in the peripheral mountainous regions, this figure rises to 1,000 mm. In most of the region, it is approximately 600 mm. Annual sunshine hours: 2,440 (Guadalajara). The driest areas are located on the Elin-Albacete axis (300 mm).
History of Castile-La Mancha
Before the arrival of the Romans most Castile-La Mancha was occupied by pastures. These lands were inhabited by the Celtic tribes of the Carpetans and Vetons. The Romans greatly improved agricultural methods. The wealthy Visigothic families later became the owners of these lands. The first settlement on the site of modern Toledo dates back to the Bronze Age. During the Roman era, Toledo, thanks to its convenient location, became the administrative center of the region, and after the collapse of the Roman Empire, starting from the reign of Leovigild, it was the capital of Visigothic Spain. This status remained until the beginning of the Muslim invasion in the 8th century, after which Toledo became part of the Cordoba Caliphate. In 763, Cassim, the Moorish ruler of Toledo, rebelled against the Cordoba Caliphate, but three years later the city returned to the rule of Cordoba. A period followed called La Convivence - a time of peaceful coexistence, Jews, Christians and Muslims - Muslims preferred to collect tribute from the conquered peoples, without resorting to their forcible conversion to Islam.
Nevertheless, most of the local churches were turned into mosques, all kinds of processions and bell ringing were prohibited. At the same time, weapons and horses were not taken from the townspeople; the inhabitants of Toledo retained the right to live according to the laws established before the Muslim conquest, and the judicial system was preserved. However, at the end of the 8th - beginning of the 9th century, the townspeople rebelled several times. The result of one of these uprisings was the massacre perpetrated by the wali (governor) of Toledo Amruk al-Lleridi and went down in the history of Spain as the Toledo Night. By his order, according to various estimates, from 400 to 700 representatives of the noble Visigothic families of Toledo were destroyed. After the fall of the Cordoba Caliphate, the city became the capital of one of the richest typhoons of Al-Andalus. Today, numerous historical and architectural monuments, including the buildings of mosques and synagogues, remind of this era.
Guadalajara was founded in the 8th century. Originally, this Moorish settlement was called Wadi al-Hara (rocky valley). Until now, documentary evidence of a settlement called Arriaca, located on the territory of modern Guadalajara during the Roman rule, has survived, but this information has not yet been confirmed by archaeological finds. Monuments early period history of Guadalajara - the bridge erected by the Moors over the Henares, the ruins of the Alcazar and the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, which at that time was a mosque.
The region suffered greatly during the Iberian Peninsula War (1808 - 1814). In 1808, Guadalajara was captured and destroyed by French troops. Castile-la-Mancha unfolded guerrilla war with the French. In June 1808, when the Napoleonic army, which was on its way to Andalusia, approached Valdepenas, all of its population and residents of neighboring villages rose to fight the aggressor. A bloody skirmish ensued, after which the French army retreated from the province of La Mancha. This delay largely determined the victory of the Spaniards at the Battle of Baylen. This episode in the history of Valdepenas today is reminded of the monument to Juana Galan, who took part in the battle with the French cavalry and called on other women to help their husbands in the fight against the French. Ferdinand VII appreciated the dedication of the inhabitants of Valdepenas and bestowed upon him the title of "Valiant".
The middle of the 19th century was a time of intensive development of the transport network. In 1855, Albacete was crossed by the Madrid-Alicante railway line; soon rail links connected Albacete with Cartagena. The Madrid - Toledo railway line was commissioned in June 1858. Toledo train station is one of the architectural monuments early XIX century.
The Alcazar Palace, one of the main attractions of Toledo, was built by the Romans in the 3rd century AD. During the reigns of Alfonso VI and Alfonso X, the building was restored, in 1535 it underwent reconstruction, in the 19th century it housed a military academy. In 1936, during civil war, the garrison fortified in the Alcazar under the command of Colonel José Moscardo Ituarte repelled the onslaught of the republican troops for a long time. In July 1936, Jose Moscardo Ituarte, the head of the military administration of Toledo sided with Franco and refused to give the Republican government access to the munitions produced at the Toledo plant.
The Republicans sent an army of about 8,000 troops and militias to the city. Nationalists gave great importance Alcazar, considering it a symbol of the power of domination in the region. The loss of the Alcazar could undermine the morale of the participants in the uprising.
In recent decades, the construction industry (15.6% of jobs), in particular, the construction of housing and hotels, has acquired particular importance for the regional economy. Large housing projects are underway in Guadalajara. Among the Spanish provinces, Guadalajara came in third place in terms of housing costs. The production of products from the famous Toledo steel continues, the history of which dates back to the Middle Ages. Toledo factories produce knives and other cutting tool... The manufacture of daggers and knives is also among the traditional productions of Albacete. In 2007, a Eurocopter assembly plant was put into operation here. The region's enterprises produce ceramics, glass, leather goods, clothing, footwear, food products, and tobacco products. The Jose Cabrera NPP, which began operations in 1964, was decommissioned in 2006.
The University of Castile-La Mancha was founded in 1982. Currently, it has about 30,000 students. University campuses are located in the cities of Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Toledo; branches operate in Almadena, Talavere de la Reina and Puertoyano. The province of Guadalajara lies outside the scope of the regional university, this area belongs to the University of Alcala. Each province of Castile-La Mancha has a branch State University distance learning.
Transport
The total length of highways running through the territory of Castile-La Mancha is 2,790 kilometers. Among the busiest are the highways leading from Madrid to various regions of the country. In addition, the land of the region is crossed by several international highways. Motorways A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, R-2, R-4, A-30, A-31, A-35, AP-36, A pass through the territory of Castile-La Mancha -41, AP-41, A-42, CM-42. A-2 leads from Madrid to Barcelona; A-3 - from Madrid to Valencia; A-4 connects the Spanish capital with Cadiz; A-5 - with Badajoz; R-2 - with Guadalajara; R-4 - with Okanya; A-30 leads from Albacete to Cartagena; A-31 - from Atalaya del Canyavate in Alicante; A-35 - from Almansa to Xativa, AR-36 from Okanya - to La Roda; A-41 - from Ciudad Real to Puertoyano; AR-41 and AR-42 connect Madrid and Toledo; SM-42 - Toledo and Tomeloso.
The regional government is implementing a road construction program that provides for the creation of a system of highways connecting all settlements with more than 10,000 inhabitants. After the completion of the program, 96% of the region's population will live no more than 15 minutes from high-capacity highways.
The railway service connects Castile-La Mancha with the Spanish capital and neighboring regions, connects the major settlements of the region, including Albacete, Alcazar de San Juan, Ciudad Real, Toledo
Attractions also include the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, the Monastery of St. John, the El Greco Museum, the Galiana Palace, the "solar gate" Puerta del Sol in Toledo; Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, St. Michael's Church, Christ the Savior Church, St. Paul's Bridge, Seminary Building, St. Paul's Monastery, Bishop's Residence, Manian's Watchtower, "Hanging Houses" (casas colgadas), Town Hall Building, Archaeological Museum, Diocese Museum, Museum of Abstract Art and Science Museum in Cuenca; Cathedral of John the Baptist in Albacete; the palace of the Duke of Infantado, the Church of the Virgin Mary and the Church of the Assumption in Guadalajara; Church of St. James, Church of St. Peter in Ciudad Real; the mills of Konsuergi; Assumption Church in Elin; the church of the Augustinian monastery, the monastery of the Franciscan order, the town hall and the clock tower in Almans; the monastery of the Trinitarians in Valdepeñas; town hall in Villarrobledo. Several hiking trails follow the path taken by the famous character of Cervantes. The Don Quixote Museum is located in Ciudad Real.
Celebrations and events
In addition to many attractions, Castile-La Mancha attracts visitors with an extensive program of public events, which embodies the ethnocultural specificity of the traditions of this region. The history of some holidays and festivals dates back to pagan times, others appeared during the time of Christianity, and are most directly related to Christian rituals. There is hardly a town or village here whose inhabitants do not arrange mass festivities. In a number of settlements, festivals and holidays almost continuously replace each other. From 25 to 28 December, the city of Alcazar de San Juan hosts a carnival known as Carnavalcazar. Costumed processions are held in the city streets. On December 28, a traditional ceremony called the "burial of the sardine" takes place.
Carnival in Erencia (Ciudad Real), Carnival in Migelturra (Ciudad Real), La Caballada in Atiense (Guadalajara), medieval theater festival in Ita (Guadalajara), church music festival in Cuenca, La Endiablada in Almonacid del Marquezado. La Endiablada takes place from 1 to 3 February. At this time, colorful processions appear on the streets, which consist of townspeople dressed in costumes of evil spirits.
And further...
The cuisine of Castile-La Mancha is very diverse. Visitors are offered dishes from meat delicacies, trout and crayfish. Popular dishes include migas - a dish made from bread crumbs and garlic in olive oil, morteruelo pate, pistos asadillo - a dish of peppers fried with tomatoes and garlic, gazpacho manchego meat chowder ), roast lamb cuchifrito, Duelos y quebrantos - omelet with lamb brains and ham, yolk turron with almonds, Toledo marzipan. The symbols of the gastronomy and winemaking of Castile-La Mancha are Manchego cheese and Valdepenas wine.
The Toledo Football Club was founded in 1928. In the 2009/2010 season, the club returned to the second division of the Spanish Football League, having spent five seasons in the third division. The Albacete Football Club, founded in 1940, and the Guadalajara Football Club, founded in 1947, are now also part of the Second Division. Besides football, popular sports include handball, basketball, volleyball and cycling.
The headquarters of the regional public broadcaster Castilla-La Mancha TV is located in Toledo. From here the TV stations Localia, Diocesan Channel TV-Popular, Teletoledo, Regional Channel News and Tribune Television, radio stations Radio Toledo, COPE, Cadena SER, RNE, RCM broadcast.
Castile-La Mancha is the Spanish Autonomous Community, located in the very center of the country and even in shape this area resembles a graphic symbol of the heart.
It is the third largest region in Spain, occupying about 16% of its territory. This part of the Iberian Peninsula is called the Southern Submeseta (plateau) and is the south of the Central Meseta. The territory of Castile-La Mancha does not differ in large differences in elevation, but in the northeast and south the relief in many cases becomes higher and in places turns into mountainous, as, for example, in the southwest, where the Sierra Morena mountain range separates Castile-La Mancha from, or in the southeast of the region, where the Sierra de Alcaras and Sierra de la Segura are located near the border with Murcia. Cuenca's own notable mountains (Iberian system), located in the northeast, are of limestone nature.
The middle position deprived the region of its access to the sea. It is surrounded by seven Spanish lands.
History
Castile and La Mancha are large historical regions of Spain. At the same time, Castile was once an independent feudal state. The so-called Old Castile was located in the northwestern part of what is now Spain, while New Castile was located in the center. Its territories, with the exception of the seceded Madrid, basically became part of the Autonomous Community of Castile-La Mancha.
The lands of this region have been inhabited for a long time. Many sites of primitive man were found in the upper reaches of the Guadiana River, and in the province of Albacete there are dozens of caves with ancient rock paintings. In most of the territory of La Mancha, you can find traces of the so-called culture of Da las Motillas: up to the Bronze Age (approximately the end of the 4th - beginning of the 1st millennium BC), ancient builders used original model settlements, building several tiers of houses around concentric walls in such a way that, as a result, the structure resembled a hill crowned with a watchtower.
By the 1st millennium BC. NS. several groups of peoples lived here, among which the Celts (Carpetans and Vetons) predominated. In their free time from internecine battles, most of the population was engaged in cattle breeding. The most famous city inherited by Spain from the Carpetans is Toletum (later Toledo), dedicated to the god of water, which has always played an important role in the history of the region, and now is the capital of the province of Toledo and the entire modern region of Castile - La Mancha.
Another people who found themselves in the very center of local political events were the Oretans living in the south of the province of Ciudad Real. On their territory was the Sisapo mine - the richest Mediterranean deposit of mercury. Both the Carthaginians and the Romans paid attention to the valuable metals of these places. In an attempt to subdue the Oretans, the Carthaginian commander Hamilcar Barka (c. 270-228 BC) died. During II Punic War(218-201 BC) Castile - La Mancha was captured by the Romans. Toledo became the center of their province until the invasion of the Visigoths, who by the 5th century. conquered the entire region.
For centuries, a bright history has been created here, as well as masterpieces of art and winemaking.
During the domination of Muslims in Spain (VII-XV centuries), Toledo, together with the vast adjacent territories that covered most of today's Castile - La Mancha, was part of the Cordoba Caliphate. The city became a scientific center. There, under the leadership of Archbishop Raimund (1126-1151), a famous school of translators was created, through whose efforts many works on philosophy, medicine, mathematics and other sciences were translated from the Arabic language. In 1085, Toledo was occupied by the troops of the King of Castile and Leon, Alfonso VI (1038 / 40-1109), and the area reclaimed from the Moors in subsequent centuries was called New Castile. And although in the XVI century. the capital was moved in, this century was a heyday for Toledo and other ancient city area - Cuenca: manufactories flourished and active trade with a new part of the world - America was conducted. However, famine, droughts and epidemics of the late 16th and 17th centuries. led to the decline of the region, which is described in all colors in the immortal novel by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547-1616) "The cunning hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha".
XVIII century began with the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714), and ended with the division of the territory of New Castile: the province of La Mancha was separated from it in 1691, and the provinces of Cuenca, Guadalajara, Madrid and Toledo were formed in 1785.
During the Napoleonic Wars, the inhabitants of New Castile fought a fierce struggle against the French invaders. On this territory in 1809, among others, two major historical battles took place: near the city of Ucles (province of Cuenca) and near the village of Okane (province of Toledo). They ended with the defeat of the Spaniards, and from 1810 to 1813. all cities of the region were occupied by Napoleonic troops. XX century. brought the area uprisings and heavy battles between opponents and supporters of General Francisco Franco (1892-1975). As a result, his victory triggered a wave of migration: from the 1950s to the 1960s. more than half a million inhabitants of the region have emigrated: in most cases to the USA and Latin America. In its current form, the autonomous region of Castile-La Mancha appeared on the map of Spain in 1982.
This vast region has the lowest population density in Spain, with one of the highest life expectancies (82.7 years on average) and higher fertility rates. It has its own parliament (cortes), which elects a president every four years, who is then confirmed by the Spanish king. The service sector plays a huge role in the economy, providing the region with more than 55.5% of jobs. The biggest stake is placed on tourism - the hotel fund alone is growing rapidly every year. Government programs are supporting the construction of roads to reach the most secluded corners of this sparsely populated region.
Modern Castile - La Mancha is recognized as one of the largest wine-growing regions on the planet. Valdepeñas wines have become the symbol of local winemaking. Wine in Valdepenas (province of Ciudad Real) was produced even under the Romans in the huge (up to 15,000 liters) amphoras of Tinahas that have become traditional. It is this inexpensive, but excellent-tasting red wine that is drunk by both the rich and the poor - real people and Spanish literary characters. The 29,000 hectares of Valdepeñas vineyards provide wine lovers annually up to 600,000 hectoliters of wine. And art lovers will not miss masterpieces such as the Alcazar royal residence in Toledo, the Don Quixote Museum in Ciudad Real, or the well-preserved medieval city, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cuenca.
general information
Location: Iberian Peninsula, central Spain.
Border regions: Andalusia, Murcia, Valencia, Aragon, Madrid, Extremadura.
Administrative divisions: 5 provinces (Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara, Toledo). 919 municipalities.
Date of formation: XI-XIII centuries - New Castile, 1982 - name and territory in its present form.
Capital: Toledo, 83 108 people. (2011).
Language: Spanish.
Ethnic composition: 87.8% - Spaniards, 12.2% - Romanians, Moroccans, Ecuadorians, Colombians, etc. (2011).
Religion: Catholicism prevails.
Currency unit: Euro.
Largest cities: Albacete (172,472 people), Guadalajara (84,453 people), Toledo, Ciudad Real (74,014 people), Cuenca (56,189 people).
Largest rivers: Guadiana, Tahoe, Hucar, Segura.
The most important airport: Ciudad Real International Airport; Albacete airport - Los Llanos.
Numbers
Area: 79 463 km 2.Population: 2,121,888
Population density: 26.7 people / km 2.
Highest point: Las Vilyuercas (1,601 m).
52% of the region's soils are considered dry.
Climate and weather
Continental Mediterranean climate.Average January temperature: 0 ° C.
Average temperature in July:+ 30 ° C.
Average annual rainfall: 600 mm (from 400 in the center to 1000 in the mountains) per year.
Between summer and winter temperatures very large differences are observed.
Economy
GRP per capita: 6 17 339 (2000).
■ Natural parks : Tablas de Daimiel and Cabaneros in the Toledo Mountains, headwaters of the Tagus River, Barranco del Rio Dulce, Lagunas de Rudeira, Calares del Rio Mundo I de la Sima, Ayedo beech forest de Tejera Negra, Serrania de Cuenca karst formations.■ Toledo city: Roman ruins, Cathedral of the Virgin Mary (1227-1493), Alcazar Castle (1486-1570), El Greco Museum.
■ Guadalajara city: Puente Arabé bridge (built by the Romans in the 1st century, rebuilt by the Arabs in the 8th-10th centuries), Palacio del Infantado (1483), Convento de la Piedad monastery (16th century), San -Francisco (XVI-XVII centuries).
■ city of Albacete: Abelardo Sánchez Park (1910).
■ city of Ciudad Real: New Calatrava castle (1216; in the province), Medrano Palace, Cathedral (XVI century), Don Quixote Museum.
■ Cuenca city: Church of San Miguel (XIII century), Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Julian (XII-XV centuries), Mangana watchtower (the only section of the Arab fort of Cuenca).
■ Other: vineyards, windmills.
Curious facts
■ An original local craft - making marzipan figurines. Each year in the province, their production can reach five million items.■ Windmills that Don Quixote could have fought are located near the city of Ciudad Real. Today, some of them operate as museums.
■ The famous local cheese "Manchego" is made only from the milk of Mancheg sheep. Its name literally means "La Manche" and is a protected brand of the area.
■ The novel Don Quixote of La Mancha, the cunning hidalgo, mentions over 150 recipes of folk cuisine.
■ What is known as Spanish in the world is called Castellano in Spain itself. But on the territory of Spain, in addition to Castilian, there are other official (local) languages: Galician, Aran (a variant of Occitan), Catalan and Basque.
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