Ciudad Real Capital City

Eyewitness accounts had not been as full of praise as other cities in the Autonomous Region of Castilla la Mancha. “A city on the AVE (high-speed train) line; a place that you can get to easily and then use as a base for visiting the other, sexier towns around the region” people have been known to say.

Cuidad Real is the capital city of the province of the same name but its glory and fame have not been sung as being one of the must-see places of Castilla la Mancha. But if you look deeper and begin to notice things that the tour guides won’t tell you, much like a late developer in the classroom, you begin to appreciate the hidden depths that the city has and you begin to see the reasons why the people who live there are so proud of their city and the heritage that it represents.

The city was formally made capital of the province in the 17th century; a fact that helped to ensure a complete structural overhaul and, the loss of what was a large part of its historical heritage.

More information: http://www.visitclm.com/lugares/ciudad-real/ciudad-real/

Places Worth a Visit

It is not entirely evident from the present day layout but, during the Middle Ages, the city was protected by over four kilometres of city walls with 130 towers that were built to protect a mixed population of Christians, Arabs and Jews. Only a small part of the wall remains today with the Puerta de Toledo being the only survivor of eight gates that opened into the city centre.

Today, the city’s heart is the Plaza Mayor, Here the administrative centre of the city is located inside an interesting building built in the 1970s by the architect Fernando Higueras. However, it needs to be looked after as time waits for no-one.

The religious building closest to the centre of the city is the Cathedral. Set next to the tranquil gardens of el Prado the Cathedral is the newest of the three principal religious buildings that mark the boundaries of the old town of Ciudad Real. Its charm is the three very simple entrances; one of which, the Puerta del Perdón (Gate of Forgiveness) dates back to the 13th century. The nave of the church is, after that of Girona, said to be the second largest in Spain.

On one side of the Prado is the casino, a magnificently overstated building with red walls and white decoration designed by a local artist.

The oldest religious building in Ciudad Real is the Church of Santiago. Formerly a watchtower, it is a romanic construction dating from the end of the 13th century. One of the most fascinating aspects of the building is the panelled vault that is executed in Arabic style

The links with Cervantes are strong. As one local commentator put it: Cervantes’ Don Quixote is not just a novel, it is a user’s manual for enjoying the lands of Castilla la Mancha: the customs, the history, the character, the landscape and the gastronomy.

Important Dates and Fiestas

In Ciudad Real, Semana Santa is considered to be of National Tourist Interest. 22 churches (hermandades) take part in a procession that dominates the streets of the city.

July sees the staging of the International Folklore Festival.