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Routes round La Manchuela |
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We begin our journey in Campillo de Altobuey which has many examples of the regions popular architecture, numerous picturesque houses and a parish church. On the outskirts of the village you'll find the sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de la Loma, which was originally built on the side of an Augustine convent and later converted into a bull ring.
On the CM-202 we travel on to Motilla del Palancar, the administrative centre for the region, where we can enjoy the renaissance church and the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción. Leaving Motilla del Palancar we take the N-320 until we arrive at El Peral, a pretty village situated just of the motorway. Here there is a lovely parish church which has recently restored their incomparable altarpiece. We rejoin the N-320 and carry on until we arrive at Villanueva de la Jara, considered a place of interest for its wealth of well preserved Manchego style buildings. There are many monuments here to enjoy such as the parish church which is dedicated to the Asunción de la Virgen, which was previously a walled castle belonging to the Casa de Villena. The church represents a mixture of various classic styles with a large Baroque altarpiece in the main altar and various chapels such as the 17th - 18th century Rosario chapel and the Presbyterian chapel. There are also many important monuments here to enjoy including the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves - the patron saint of the town, the Clemente de Aróstegui palace, the Carmelitas de Santa Ana convent, which was one of the last founded by Saint Teresa, the Plaza Mayor with the impressive 16th century town hall building, the 15th - 16th century El Pósito, the Massó inn and numerous stately houses on the streets of Jesús Casonova, Santa Ana, Mercado and Madrigal. We take a detour on the CM - 311 until Iniesta, the locality with the most history in this area, here traces of the Egelasta are conserved as well as an Iberic Roman city from the middle ages. There are numerous stately houses with ample internal patios, large lounges, ornate balconies with metal work and various coats of arms. The cultural heritage of this area is emphasised with the Baroque church Nuestra Señora de la Asunción which contains original gold and silver piece work such as the Punzón de Becerril, and the Nuestra Señora de la Consolación sanctuary which is the scene of the colourful Romeria for the same named virgin each August. At the end of our journey we continue on the CM-311 to Granja de Iniesta, taking a detour on the N-111 until we arrive at Minglanilla, a town which had a important working salt mine during the Roman times. There are various monuments here from the past including a renaissance church. In the surrounding areas we can visit the scenic Los Cuchillos and Las Hoces del Cabriel with authorization as this is protected land |
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