VILLARROBLEDO
We start our journey in Villarrobledo, the town Forlasa chose to locate their factory for producing cheese. In the beginning, Villarrobledo was a small village belonging to Alcaraz and called Villarejo de San Nicolás. It was moved due to different circumstances and ended up next to an oak grove. It was later named after these woods of oak trees - Robledo or Robledillo. Around 1436, Villarrobledo achieved their independence, and during the 16th century, their municipal area was among the most extensive in all of Spain. Around the current Plaza de Ramón y Cajal, there is interesting architecture with great historical value. In this plaza, we can find the Casa Consistorial (Town Hall), perhaps the most emblematic building in Villarrobledo, which was raised sometime between the 10th and 11th centuries and constructed in the late Renaissance style by the Marqués de Villena. Here we also find the Church of San Blas, which was declared a National Monument. The First City House, constructed at the end of the 8th century, and the headquarters for the Order of the Inquisition and the Chuch of San Sebastián, constructed between the 11th and 12th century, are other monuments that merit your attention. The streets around the plaza boast a number of stately homes, with coats of arms that add splendour to their facades and bear witness to eras of past glory. There are, of course, also a number of houses retaining the traditional style of La Mancha. The regional gastronomy includes hare, rabbit and red partridge, as well as products coming from pig killing and the prized lamb. And last but not least, the wonderful Manchego cheese made exclusively with Manchegan sheep?s milk, of which Forlasa is a large producer. And there is a large variety of excellent wines from the different wine cellars in the city to add the crowning glory to a good meal.
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OSSA DE MONTIEL
Taking the CM-3119 we head towards Ossa de Montiel. In the old town we find the beautiful parish church of Santa María Magdalena. The temple is a Gothic building from the beginning of the 16th century. Another 16th century construction that is still well-conserved is the pillory of justice, currently in a private courtyard.
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ALCARAZ
If we get on the C5 towards El Bonillo, we go towards Alcaraz. The beginnings of the city of Alcaraz are very old, with its monumental Plaza Mayor, constructed in the 16th century, calling for attention. It is flanked by the magnificent towers of the Trinidad y El Tardón. Furthermore, there is the Church of La Santísima Trinidad located on a small square next to the Plaza Mayor, the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel on the main street and the Monastery of La Magdalena, a construction dating from the 16th to 17th centuries.
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AYNA
Leaving Alcaraz on the CM-3216, we go towards Bogarra until reaching Ayna, located on the course of the River Mundo, adding great beauty to the landscape. At the exit of the town is the Mirador del Diablo (The Devil’s viewpoint), from where we have stunning views of the surroundings and the mouth of the River Mundo. Ayna is an extremely ancient town. Around Ayna are a series of cave paintings in the Cueva del Niño (the Child’s Cave), which probably date from the Magdalenian era. The name alludes to the misbehaving mate of the bandit Francisco Ríos, El Pernales.
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HELLÍN
On the CM-3203 we reach Hellín, the ancient capital of a Muslim group, although it already existed in the time of the Romans, and maintains an important old town with a souk and a Jewish quarter, where there are remains of an Arabic castle. The church is from the 16th century and the Franciscan convent is worth a visit, with its curious floor, and the cloister of the old convent of the Clarists, which is today a cultural centre. If you have the chance, don’t miss Holy Week celebrations, with an impressive drumming that fills the city with deafening noises during the night of Maundy Thursday.
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TOBARRA
Taking the la N-301, we enter the heart of this town. Among monuments of note are the parish church of Santa María de la Asunción, constructed in the greatest of Gothic tradition between the years 1546 and 1616, and the hermitage of the Cristo de la Antigua y de la Encarnación at the highest point of the village. There are several private homes emblazoned with coats of arms with interesting facades, such as number 7 of the Calle Mayor, number 2 on Calle Merinas and several other majestic houses if you stroll along the Calle Mayor.
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ONTUR (NECROPOLIS OF THE ERAS)
Not far from Tobarra is the small village of Ontur with its fortified tower that was used as a jail and housed the Necropolis of the Eras, a burial site from the Roman ages with layettes in the tombs. The most surprising find was the tomb of a little girl with some extremely odd marble and amber dolls, which today can be seen in the Albacete Museum.
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MONTEALEGRE DEL CASTILLO
Not far from Ontur along the CM-3215 lies the town of Montealegre del Castillo and at its side the site of the Cerro de los Santos (Hill of the Saints), along with a Baroque hermitage, where significant Iberian pieces have been found, some of which are in the National Archaeological Museum and others in the Albacete Museum. Especially impressive are the collection of votive offerings and the carvings of male busts.
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ALMANSA
Leaving Montealegre del Castillo on the CM-412, we reach this city, which received its name from the Arabs (“Almansa” means viewing point), has been an important stronghold throughout history, from the first Roman era through the Carlist wars. Make sure you take a stroll through its streets, still presided over by a spectacular castle, which was erected upon an enormous rock. Other private buildings are the Casa Grande, some palaces from the 17th century and the Town Hall. Furthermore, Almansa has religious heritage including the Church of La Asunción and two convents.
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ALCALÁ DEL JÚCAR
We now journey on towards Alcalá del Júcar on the CM-430, a place of incomparable beauty. Its houses spread towards a castle of Arabic origin, possibly reconstructed in the Christian era. The Parish Church of San Andrés is dated between the 16th and 18th centuries. The Roman bridge over El Júcar from the 18th century is also interesting, as well as the Hermitage of San Lorenzo, a Baroque work from the 18th century.
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CHINCHILLA DE MONTEARAGÓN
Heading towards Albacete on the CM-3201, we come across this township that had great regional influence in the past and was an important textile centre, with such fame that its fabrics were exported to the East. Its imposing 15th century castle suffered serious damage during the French invasion, but still has some Arab relics and a grand moat that was excavated from the rock. Around it, the plaza and its surrounding streets offer a fine collection of houses, a small well and Arab baths. Don’t miss the Church of Santa María with its Gothic facade, Mudejar coffered ceiling and some valuable artefacts.
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ALBACETE
Driving along the N-430 we approach Albacete, which is the most populated city of the entire Castellano-Manchega region. The name itself, indicates its Manchegan condition (from the Arabic word 'Al Basit' or the plains), and after observing its ample and barren horizons, the appropriateness of the name cannot be denied. The old Manchegan town has given rise to a new idea of urban cohabitation. The serious damage of uncontrolled development has already long ended and the new changes can be appreciated. The new spaces making up its avenues and boulevards are stunning, above all, in the gardens. It is surprising to come across so many green areas and parks that are carefully tended, especially after the crossing of so much treeless land in train or car. If we tour the monuments of the city, we will find: the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, constructed in the 16th century; the Monastery of the Encarnación which has been converted into a cultural centre; the Parish of La Concepción; La Posada del Rosario, on La Calle del Tinte, a construction blending several styles including Gothic, Mudejar and Renaissance; El Pasaje de Lodares, possibly of the most typical places in the city and the Albacete Museum.
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