Campo de Criptana: History, Culture and Gigantes de La Mancha

1. Los Molinos de Viento
2. Un legado andalusí
3. La Plaza del Pósito and its religious heritage
4. Culture and traditions of Campo de Criptana

Campo de Criptana is one of the most representative places of Castile-La Mancha, where culture and history come together in a setting taken from the pages of Don Quixote de la Mancha. This city, located in the province of Ciudad Real, stands out for its majestic windmills, which testify to its existence for centuries and represent one of the most famous episodes of world literature – the fight of Don Quixote against the “giants”.

Los Molinos de Viento

Undoubtedly, the main attraction of Campo de Criptana is the windmills. Declared Bien de Interés Cultural, these mills were built in the 16th century and only 10 of the 34 originals have been preserved. Estas están situada en el Cerro de la Paz, desde donde moldean el horizonte y ofren una singular de la Mancha.

During Cervantes' time, mills were a symbol of technological progress in the area. They were the basis for grinding grain, making it easier to work with trigo plants and other cereals, which were a staple in the diet of the time. On average, Campo de Criptana became the nucleus of production and commerce, thus contributing to the economic growth of the region.

In Don Quixote de la Mancha, these windmills were immortalized in the famous scene where the elegant hidalgo stirs up the windmills with great dangers. El capítulo donde Don Quijote, “lanza en ristre”, se enfrente a uno de ellos, made these monuments a universal emblem of fantasy and dreams, giving Campo de Criptana global fame.

Un legado andalusí

The municipality not only has the legacy of Cervantes, but also preserves traces of Andalusian history. Campo de Criptana was a Muslim community before it was incorporated into the Kingdom of Toledo. This influence is particularly felt in the Albaicín neighborhood, a historic area with unique white-gold-and-white houses with Arabic-style roofs that preserve the traditional architecture of that era.

Las vias estrechas y curvadas del Albaicín brings you a tour full of charm and authenticity of the Managua region. In this place, the tourist can discover the old cave houses, the structures dug out of stone, occupied by generations. Delicious food, fresh in summer and warm in winter, is useful for many deposits for the residents of the region. Today, many of these cave dwellings have been converted into tourist attractions, and some operate as museums, highlighting the Cerro de la Paz Cave House as a magnificent example of this type of construction.

La Plaza del Pósito and its religious heritage

Located in the core of Campo de Criptana, La Plaza del Pósito is a meeting place for residents and tourists. The Plaza has witnessed numerous events and celebrations over time and symbolizes the core of the social life of the area.

In addition, Campo de Criptana is home to a rich religious heritage that includes more than a dozen churches, monasteries and hermitages. These faith temples belong to different eras and represent the development of architectural styles in the area, from Gothic to Baroque. The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and the Ermita de la Virgen de Criptana stand out as two of the most relevant and frequently visited religious buildings in the community.

Culture and traditions of Campo de Criptana

Campo de Criptana is also a dynamic site that celebrates its traditions through popular celebrations and cultural activities. Among the most prominent celebrations are Semana Santa and Festejos de la Virgen de Criptana, where processions and events showcase the community's deep religious and cultural heritage.

In addition, the municipality has museums that help to better understand the history and personality of Managua. Along with the Casa Cueva del Cerro de la Paz, there is also the Museo de El Pósito, where you can learn about the agricultural traditions of the area and how it was an important economic driver for the Campo de Criptana.