Dreaming back to the Middle Ages: Exploring the castles of Castile-La Mancha II.

Dreaming back to the Middle Ages, part two, exploring the legendary castles of Toledo and Ciudad Real. Toledo Guadamur Castle The Alcazar, a typical 15th-century residence of Toledo, is magnificent and well-preserved. It consists of a castle, fortresses, barriers and moats. Today, the castle is still inhabited and we can stroll around its exterior to admire the aesthetic effects of its architecture influenced by Italian art. After restoration, it has become one of the best preserved medieval castles in Spain. Consuegra Castle This 800-year-old castle is unique not only for its location overlooking La Mancha and its mills, but also for its rich history and architectural style, closely linked to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (Orden de San Juan de Jerusalén). We can stroll along the city walls and parade grounds, and even go inside to see the various weapons and furniture on display to recreate the atmosphere of the time. Oropesa Castle The castle consists of two parts: one is the old castle, a well-preserved Arab fortress, and the other is the 15th-century Palace of Counts of Oropesa, Álvarez de Toledo, condes de Oropesa, which has a stone staircase that is unique in Spain. The history of these buildings therefore belongs to two consecutive periods of the Middle Ages, the Muslim period (Old Castle) and the Christian period (New Castle). Ciudad Real Calatrava La Nueva Castle A medieval castle, we can walk along the castle's paths, courtyards, towers, etc. In addition, the 13th-century convent still retains a gate with a rose window, a chapel, a refectory and kitchen, and a cemetery. The artisans' auxiliary quarters, accommodation, stables and cellars complete this magnificent picture of medieval life. Peñarroya Castle It is one of the best preserved fortresses in the Campo de San Juan area once occupied by the Knights of La Mancha. What is very interesting about the castle is how it uses natural fortifications: the south and west sides are natural cliffs, while the north and east sides have double walls and moats. Montizón Castle A 13th century fortress built to control an important traffic route. In Roman times, this was part of the Way of Hercules or the Via Hercúlea o Augusta, which connected Cádiz to Tarraconense and eventually to Rome itself, and the builders of the castle took advantage of the natural vertical faults in the hill.