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 V 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 past and the historical Campo de Calatrava landscape.

The tour visits the region’s historic landscapes, in the south of Ciudad Real province, through lands that once formed part of the powerful Order of Calatrava from the mid-12th century onwards, and whose Islamic, military and religious heritage can be felt in every corner.

From Islamic fortresses to Christian castles

During the 9th to 13th centuries, the Campo de Calatrava was a key border area between the Islamic world and the Christian kingdoms, crossed by the main road connecting Córdoba with Toledo. This strategic position led to the creation of a dispersed, rural Islamic settlement, concentrated around husûn (rural fortresses). This is the case of Caracuel Castle, an example of an al-Andalus defensive structure, the modern Alarcos Archaeological Park, the epicentre of great battles, or the ancient medina of Ǫalā›t Rabāh (Calatrava la Vieja).

A tour of Almohad armies and architecture

In the 12th century, the Almohad empire left a strong mark on this region. Its armies used a variant of the road to Tulaytula (Toledo) passing through Puerto del Milagro (Alhover). This road features the remains of fortifications such as Miraflores Castle, with its characteristic Islamic rammed earth walls; the fortresses of Salvatierra and Eznavezor, to the south of Campo de Calatrava, which protected the passes towards Campo de Montiel and Sierra Morena; and the Castle of Bolaños de Calatrava, a model of feudal Order of Calatrava architecture.

Historical flavours: Campo de Calatrava’s al-Andalus gastronomy

The legacy of al-Andalus in this region also lives on in traditional cuisine. Ingredients such as the aubergine, brought from the East in Islamic times, have reached their highest expression in products such as the famous aubergine from Almagro, today a symbol of La Mancha’s identity and the star attraction on many culinary routes.