Excursions Around Toledo
The La Mancha region
When you visit the region after reading the famous “Don Quijote” written by Cervantes, the first impression that you get is that it looks exactly like what the book describes it as being.
Illescas, for example, patiently lies in wait for visitors halfway between the capital of the country, Madrid, and Toledo. Those who visit Illescas have the opportunity to explore the rich history of the region and that of the entire country, because this area hosts traces of our ancestors dating back to the Paleolithic age.
The 13th century churches are important monuments in the region, as well as the historical small towns that have always played an important role in Spain’s historical and cultural traditions.Esquivias, for example, is the small town where the great Cervantes was born, while Ocana deserves your attention due to the fact that it hosts the Roman remains and a splendid Castle built in the Renaissance style.
For those who really want to experience the typical ambience of the region, Tembleque is the perfect place for them. The town displays an impressive collection of galleries, as well as a spectacular church built in the Renaissance style.
Visiting the castles
For those tourists who are interested in sightseeing and excursions, a wonderful route which consists of all the important castles of the region is available. The Middle Ages represented a flourishing period for Toledo, so the old castles of the region date back to those centuries. Barciense, for example, hosts a beautiful Gothic Castle, while Torrijos hosts the fantastic Plateresque style castle.
The Maqueda Castle, dating back to the 15th century, is one of the most impressive castles in the region, displaying a spectacular Mudejar Style. The castle was built over the remains of an old Arab fortress and it played an important strategic role in the life of the town.
Following the crafts
Spain is a country which emphasized the importance of crafts, a country which lived for centuries on what it managed to create. Talavera Reina is a place famous for the beautiful ceramics created here, which have an impressive value artistically speaking.
The spectacular Ruiz de Luna Museum hosts collections of objects dating back to the 15th to the 18th centuries, while Oropesa is famous for the laces and embroideries created here. The entire region is a very beautiful one, you should visit it at least once in your lifetime.