Page 402 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

400  CENTR AL SP AIN

s Albacete ivory dolls to 20th-century Environs
paintings. The cathedral, begun Chinchilla de Monte Aragón,
Albacete. * 172,500. £ @
n Plaza del Altozano, 967 63 in 1515 and devoted to San 12 km (7 miles) to the south east,
00 04 (closed Sun pm). ( Tue. Juan Bautista, has Renaissance has a well-preserved old quarter.
_ Virgen de los Llanos (8 Sep). altarpieces. Above the town is the shell of
∑ albaceteturistico.es Albacete, also known for its its 15th-century castle (closed
daggers and jackknives, crafted to the public).
This provincial capital is not here since Muslim times, holds Almansa, 70 km (43 miles)
without its attractions. The an agricultural fair, every year. further east, is dominated by
excellent Museo de Albacete another imposing castle, which
is located in a pleasant park E Museo de Albacete is of Moorish origin.
and has exhibits ranging Parque Abelardo Sánchez. Tel: 967 22
from Iberian sculptures and 83 07. Open Tue–Sun (Jul–mid-Sep:
unique Roman amber and am only). & (free Sat & Sun). 7 f Alcaraz
Albacete. * 1,600. n Calle Mayor 3,
967 38 09 60 (closed Mon). ( Wed.
_ Canto de Los Mayos (30 Apr–1
May), La Romería de la Virgen (26 Aug,
8 Sep), Feria (4–9 Sep). ∑ alcaraz.es
An important Arab and Chris tian
stronghold, Alcaraz’s military
power waned after the
Reconquest but its economy
flourished around its (now
de funct) carpet-making industry.
Standing in the attractive
The castle of Chinchilla de Monte Aragón, overlooking the town Renaissance Plaza Mayor are the
d Sierra de Alcaraz Albacete
Peñascosa
Where the Sierras of Segura and Alcaraz push Alcaraz
northwards into the southeastern plains of Jaén J
La Mancha, they form spectacular mountains, Cortes
broken up by dramatic gorges and fertile
valleys. The source of the Río Mundo is a
favourite beauty spot. Nearby Riópar is perched S I E R R A D E A L C A R A Z
on the side of the mountain and has a charming Bogarra
15th-century parish church. Among the less-
explored villages, Letur, Ayna, Yeste and Liétor
are especially picturesque. Their narrow,
winding streets and craft traditions clearly
reflect their Muslim origins.

Riópar
5 Source of the Río Mundo
The river begins as a waterfall, inside Mundo El Pardal
the Cueva de Los Chorros, and
tumbles down a dramatic cliff face
C A L A R D E L M U N D O
into a bubbling spring at the bottom.
0 kilometres 5
0 miles 5
4 Yeste
Key The village of Yeste, which stands
Tour route at the foot of the Sierra de Ardal, is Embalse
de la
crowned by a hilltop Arab castle. It was Fuensanta
Other roads reconquered under Fernando III, and
was later ruled by the Order of Santiago.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp570–71 and pp595–7

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