Alcolea de Calatrava – Volcanoes, Lagoons and History

Alcolea de Calatrava lies on a plain surrounded by mountain ranges, lagoons and volcanic cones. The Peñarroya volcano is protected as a natural monument. Cerro de la Santa Cruz is a Strombolian volcanic cone with two clearly defined craters.

When staying in a holiday apartment in Alcolea de Calatrava, travel dates, room category and cancellation policies are among the details that travellers can consider separately. Personal planning thus remains a separate aspect alongside landscapes, paths, culture and fossils.

Nature and Trails

Immediately north of Cerro de la Santa Cruz lies the Peñas del Bú maar, also known as Laguna del Bú. The Cañada Real Segoviana runs at the foot of Cerro de la Santa Cruz along its northwestern flank.

The route to the Peñarroya volcano and lagoon begins on the Colada del Camino Ancho livestock trail in Alcolea de Calatrava and leads into the natural monument. From there, a circular route can be chosen that descends to the area of the temporary lagoon. The Peñarroya route offers panoramic views of the Sierra de las Medias Lunas.

Two important branches of the Segoviana and Soriana livestock trails cross Alcolea de Calatrava and have been restored for hiking. A section of the Cañada Real Segoviana was maintained by the municipality of Alcolea de Calatrava as a natural area for the recreation and leisure activities of residents. The routes and circular trails mentioned can be compared for personal planning according to the type of activity.

The Geopark has a mountain-bike circular route through representative volcanoes of Alcolea de Calatrava, including Volcán de la Santa Cruz and Volcán de Peñarroya; it passes through El Martinete and returns to the municipality.

Further destinations: Fuente El Fresno, Campo De Criptana, Cañada De Calatrava, Torralba De Calatrava, Daimiel, Ballesteros De Calatrava, La Solana, Fontanarejo.

History and Festivals

The origins of Alcolea de Calatrava date back to the Islamic period. In the 13th century, Alcolea de Calatrava became the seat of a Calatrava commandery; this seat is documented at the latest by 1285. The tower of the parish church of Alcolea de Calatrava belongs to the Purismo Renacentista style, which developed in the second third of the 16th century.

The celebrations in honour of Saint Scholastica take place on 10 February and include a procession with the traditional distribution of Saint Scholastica’s offerings, fireworks in the square, traditional dances and games for all age groups.

Local May traditions include singing “Mayo de la ventana” at dawn on 1 May and the celebration of “El Mayo a la Cruz” on the evening of 3 May at the local hermitage.

Fossils

The Las Higueruelas palaeontological site in Alcolea de Calatrava is one of the most important Iberian sites for Pliocene and Pleistocene vertebrates. Las Higueruelas contains numerous fossils of mastodons, gazelles, deer, horses, rhinoceroses, hyenas, cheetahs, birds, giant tortoises, amphibians and fish. In the vicinity of Alcolea de Calatrava, the Museo de Ciudad Real presents a depiction of the fauna and ecological environment of Las Higueruelas, including the mastodon specimen Anancus arvernensis.

Preparation

For the preparation, cod, potatoes, dried red peppers, onion and garlic are first roasted and chopped.

To the higher-level travel overview: Ciudad Real.