Villamanrique is linked to the famous poet Jorge Manrique and the order of the Knights of Santiago: its elegant houses –featuring the noteworthy Manrique home–, its decorative coats of arms and the towering Church of Saint Andrew are evidence of this.

Just 9 km away lies the Montizón castle, a stunning 18th century fort and the best preserved throughout the whole Campo de Montiel and with magnificent views from its watchtower of the estuary of the River Guadalén. The poet Jorge Manrique lived here.

From there, in just 20 minutes we’ll reach the Juan Abad Tower. Known as the Lord of Quevedo: the celebrated writer was banished here, but also found the peace necessary to write, in what is now his Home and Museum, his finest verses and deepest literary works.

The parish church is home to one of the most beautiful Mannerist altarpieces in polychrome wood and a stunning 17th century music organ, with all its original parts. Another interesting stop is the International Graphic Humor Centre, which exhibits works from leading comedy professionals (Forges, Gallego y Rey, Fer, and many, many more).

You can dine and have a pleasant time at San Carlos del Valle, “the La Mancha Vatican” as it is often known.

Its monumental grandeur is impressive, even from a distance. Between 1713 and 1729, commissioned by the crown and the Council of Military Orders, Juan Alejandro Núñez built the impressive baroque complex of the church of the Santísimo Cristo del Valle, its parish centre, an inn and an arcaded square, which are enormous, beautiful and with upper galleries for festivals and celebrations, due to the need to house large numbers of pilgrims who visited the chapel, when this was the most important pilgrimage in La Mancha.