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 VI of the Ways of al-Ándalus route, Aljamas and fortresses in the Alcaraz mountain range, is one of the ten journeys crossing the five provinces in the region and visits the historical landscapes of the Alcaraz mountain range and the Campos de Hellín region, in the south of Castilla-La Mancha.

These lands, connected by the Segura River and its tributaries, formed part of the Kūra of Tudmir, one of the most influential administrative divisions of eastern al-Andalus, from the mid-8th century.

Al-Andalus legacy visible in the landscape

Here, Islamic culture left its mark not only in the names of villages and historical sources, but also in the way the land was worked and inhabited. For centuries, the Moorish settlers shaped this territory through the creation of traditional irrigation systems, with irrigation ditches and agricultural terraces still visible in towns such as Letur. The intelligent use of the Segura’s water resources also created a unique agricultural landscape. These features, many of which are still active, represent one of the best-preserved al-Andalus cultural landscapes in the southeast of the

Iberian Peninsula.

Castles, military orders and the continuing Mudejar influence

Although the Christian conquest brought with it a building boom, mainly driven by the Order of Santiago, the new occupants certainly took advantage of the pre-existing Islamic organisation. In places such as Alcaraz (hiṣn al-Karas), Socovos (hiṣn Šaqūbū), Yeste or Taibilla, the Order of Santiago established fortresses and encomiendas, many atop ancient al-Andalus defensive structures.

Despite the political and religious changes, the Mudejar Islamic population continued to inhabit these lands during the 13th to 15th centuries, forming important communities in places such as Socovos and Taibilla, until the forced conversions of 1502, which marked a turning the region’s history.