The best traffic-free bike rides around Mancha Baja

This complex is made up of four lagoons: Manjavacas, Sánchez Gómez, La Dehesilla (in Mota del Cuervo), and Alcahozo (in Pedro Muñoz). It is a key point on the migratory routes of birds between Europe and Africa, which gives it international importance.

The Manjavacas Lagoon, located in the municipality of Mota del Cuervo (Cuenca), is part of the Manjavacas Lagoon Complex, a nature reserve of great ecological and scenic value.

Built in the 15th century by order of Don Juan Pacheco, first Marquis of Villena, the castle is a notable example of Gothic-Mudejar architecture. The castle has been restored and turned into a museum, and is now considered a Site of Cultural Interest. In addition to its rich history, the castle is known for events such as the National Medieval Combat Championship, which is held annually.

The castle was built in 1456 by order of Juan Pacheco, a prominent nobleman during the reign of Henry IV. Its architectural style combines Gothic and Mudejar elements. It has a peculiar triangular plan and a strategic location on the top of a hill. Over the centuries, the castle has witnessed historical events, from visits by the Catholic Monarchs to restorations and cultural events. Today, the castle hosts exhibitions, dramatized tours, medieval combat tournaments and the impressive Trebuchet Park, which displays full-scale siege engines. 😊🏰

Unfortunately, nowadays they are often only monuments to a long tradition of craftsmanship: the heavy millstones were moved using the power of the wind alone to grind grains into flour (grain mills) or press oil from olives (oil mills). Sometimes - although rarely - the windmills also had the function of a pumping station and transported water to a higher level. But Miguel de CERVANTES (1547 to 1616) also created a literary monument to the technical monument of the mills: the most famous figure of the author, who is considered Spain's national poet and whose work can certainly be valued as world literature: "Don QUIXOTE", also known as the "Knight of the Sorrowful Countenance" and always accompanied by his loyal squire Sancho Panza, fights a - of course hopeless - battle against windmills in one of the fictional stories, in which he believes he recognizes four-armed giants.

This mountain where the Mota del Cuervo mills are located is known by the name "Balcón de La Mancha", as it has fabulous views wherever you look.

Built in the 15th century by order of the first Marquis of Villena, Don Juan Pacheco, it is located on the San Cristóbal hill. Currently the castle is owned by the Ducal House of Peñaranda y Montijo, which through a management company chaired by the Count of Montalvo, Mr. Javier Fitz-James Stuart de Soto, has carried out a final rehabilitation between 2008 and 2016 with which has become a museum and also hosts various events. In the month of May/June, the Historical Recreation Days are held in the Castle, which allow us to see the life of warriors, artisans, doctors, monks, lords or peasants. National and international medieval combat tournaments are also held, a spectacular contact sport with period weapons and armor.

This is one of the gates in the wall that gives access to the town of Belmonte. In addition to the Almudí, it was known by other names: Puerta del Rollo or Cristo de los Ausentes. The name Puerta de Almudí comes from being next to the Pósito, a stone house attached to the door that was the place used to collect grains, mainly wheat, in order to lend them to farmers and neighbors during the months of less abundance. . The term Almudí refers to the public house intended for the purchase and sale of wheat, as well as for other grains, foodstuffs or merchandise, which were stored inside, or warehouse, with the purpose that you do not accrue taxes while they would not be sold. The name of the Roll is due to the fact that in front of it was the stone roll or column that served as an insignia of jurisdiction and that, in many other cases, also served as a pillory to execute the prisoners. The name Puerta del Cristo de los Ausentes is due to the fact that it houses a bronze image of this Christ, the work of the Cuenca sculptor José Antonio Lafuente Roldán, in 1967.