The Campo de Calatrava volcanic region is one of the most important in the Iberian Peninsula, with around 300 volcanic edifies that visibly keep their original morphology. Furthermore, in this zone, a city seems to appear out of thin air, built in the Renaissance style: Viso del Marqués. Not far away lies the large fort of the Order of Calatrava.

We suggest going to the most distant point on the route, Viso del Marqués, making our first stop at the Sacred Convent and the Calatrava la Nueva Castle (Aldea del Rey). Sitting atop a hill, Calatrava la Nueva is a genuine fortified medieval city that still has 13th to 16th century buildings, many in very good condition. From here above, the views are quite stunning: the castle controlled the most important natural routes crossing Sierra Morena and joining la Meseta with the Guadalquivir valley.

From there, to take a stroll, have lunch, and continue walking to Viso del Marqués, a crossroads (that point is equidistant between Madrid, the Court capital, and Seville, the 16th century naval fleet port. Its location is in line with the Renaissance preferences for palaces and towns away from large cities, the bucolic rural spaces. As a perfect example, don’t miss the Marquis of Santa Cruz Palace, home to the General Archives of the Navy. The Santuario de las Virtudes (Sanctuary of Virtues) is an example of a bullring linked to the Church, built in 1645, and was the first bullring in Spain to have a square design.

Returning towards Almagro, the Oreto and Zuqueca archaeological site contains remains of its Iberian, Roman, Visigoth and Arabic past. The Baebio bridge over the Jabalón river recalls the importance of the Iberian settlement of Oretum in the Roman times.

Nearby, and our last stop: the Cerro Gordo volcano museum lies between the towns of Almagro and Granátula de Calatrava, and its access is signposted. The trip to the volcano has been turned into a museum and adapted to facilitate visits: look, touch and listen to the volcano from its insides.