The windmills and sun heated land wandered by the shadow of a knight with his truthful servant for centuries became the iconic symbol of La Mancha. Today still there are many of original spots described in the famous story of the ‘Knight of Sad Face’.
Cerro Calderico
When over 400 hundred years ago Miguel de Cervantes has published his book ‘ The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha’ he placed his action in the flat area bordered by the three towns Toledo, Ciudad Real and Cuenca.
The property of Don Quixote ( Spainish : Don Quijote ) was supposed to be in the neighbourhood of the small town Consuegra on the way from Toledo to Cuenca. Today in Puerto Lapice one can see the iron figure of Don Quijote in front of Venta del Quijote, on the courtyard of which he was knighted by amused friends.
His route goes near probably the most picturesque from all the spots in the area - Cerro Calderico with the road encompassing the ruins of castle of San Juan knights and several, old picturesque windmills like from the fighting the giants story.
The town Armagasilla de Alba is also rich in the places featuring in the book. as the local legend goes, the stay in nearby prison cave Cueva de Medrano inspired Cervantes to write the story. He made it the home of the Quijote’s friend Sanson Carrasco, who two times ported the knight back to his premises to finish his voyage.
The area near Valdepenas is rich in vineyards and the trees on the slopes of Sierra Morena, which here are protected by the zone Parque natural Lagunas de Rudeira. One of the shadowed hills hides the entry to Cueva de Montesinos, the cave in which Don Quijote dreamed his miraculous visions.
Turning back from Rudeira Park the route passes by another castle from the story, Belmonte overlooking vineyards, olive trees surrounding to small villages Mota del Cuervo
and Campo de Criptana with 10 old windmills including one from 16th century.
Several miles further lies El Toboso , the hometown of his lady of the heart Dulcimea.
Although Don Quijote never succeeded here, today El Toboso is the main site of tourist information and events connected with Cervantes and his story .
The Museo Cervantinodisplays hundreds of copies of the book published in over 70 languages, and other interesting items connected with life of the great artist.
[Photo courtesy of Jim Linwood]
