Take a stroll to see the beautiful and ancient Church of Santa María la Mayor, where Miguel de Cervantes is thought to have been baptized. A unique experience As is getting to know the charm of the parish of Santa Quiteria, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest; the Posada de Santo Domingo, currently a municipal museum; the Palace of the Grand Prior with its Almohad tower dating back to the thirteenth century, and the House-Museum of Dulcinea del Toboso.
This town’s history dates all the way back to the Stone Age. And each slice of life is one more chapter within the cultural scrapbook. This all radiates through the town’s traditions, hidden corners and emblems. Birthplace of Cervantes, setting for Quixote’s adventures, ancient civilization sites… Discover the city’s traces of the past.
Local produce is the star ingredient in the Manchegan dishes of this region. Cheese, pisto (Spanish ratatouille), asadillo (roasted red peppers), lamb stew, lemon salad, las gachas (local porridge), duelos and quebrantos or bizcochá (Manchegan desserts) all give flavour to everyday life in Alcázar de San Juan. You can’t miss out on the world-renowned traditional food.
Land of wine. The excellent grapes grown here give life to wines with very peculiar nuances. Manchegan wines have entered the league of the most exquisite and prestigious in the world. Whites, rosés and reds, all of them an explosion of pleasure on the palate.
The Tablas de Daimiel National Park, the Lagunas de Ruidera, Campo de Criptana and Consuegra. There are many natural and historical treasures worth visiting in the surrounding countryside.
The real flavour of La Mancha. That which dates back to the Spanish Golden Age with dishes such as duelos y quebrantos (scrambled eggs with chorizo), guiso de bodas (‘wedding’ stew), gachas (local porridge), lamb stew or lemon salad. Make sure to sample traditional desserts such as torrijas, mantecados or bizcochá.
