Explore the Andalusian heritage route in Castilla-La Mancha and immerse yourself in the beauty and history of its Islamic legacy. Discover centuries of cultural and architectural influence that enriched the art and culture of the region.

From north to south and east to west, Castilla-La Mancha reveals medinas, castles, fortresses, walls, palaces, mosques, public baths, fountains, cisterns, landscapes... A journey through time and space to see, feel, smell, taste and hear the richness of a unique cultural legacy. Al-Andalus shaped the current map of Castilla-La Mancha, and the itineraries of these Routes of al-Andalus allow us to enjoy a beautiful, rich and surprising tangible and intangible heritage.

Itinerary II for the Ways of al-Andalus route, from Toledo to Talavera. Medinas in the Tagus Valley is one of the ten journeys crossing the five provinces in the region and sheds light on the al-Andalus legacy in the heart of Toledo.

Immerse yourself in a historical journey through the Tagus Valley, the strategic heart of the al-Andalus Central March, one of the most important borderlands between the Islamic world and the Christian kingdoms during the Emirate and the Caliphate of Córdoba. This territory stretched from the source of the Tagus and Duero Rivers to the Guadiana River.

This route explores unique reminders of al-Andalus medinas, castles, watchtowers and archaeological sites that preserve the memory of a key period in the peninsula’s history. The itinerary reveals one of the peninsula’s most fascinating cultural landscapes, where nature, history and architecture merge to narrate the al-Andalus past.

Traces of history: medinas, fortresses and archaeological sites

This route’s highlights include cities such as Tulaytula (Toledo), the ancient capital of the Central March and one of the great cultural centres of al-Andalus, Talabira (Talavera de la Reina), a key enclave on the road to Córdoba, Makāda (Maqueda) and Ciudad de Vascos, whose archaeological remains show the urban and defensive complexity of these Islamic settlements.

Castles forming the border

The region’s defensive architecture was enriched by the buttressing and expansion of earlier structures such as the castles of Oreja (Ontígola) and Villalba (Cebolla), which were reused by the Christians after the conquest.

Al-Andalus watchtowers: controlling the surrounding area

One of the hidden gems of this route are the al-Andalus watchtowers, lookout points dotted around the valley to control roads, mountain passes and natural resources. The most important watchtowers can be found in Segurilla, El Casar and Mejorada. These towers were visually connected, enabling a rapid and effective communication system in the event of a threat.