Campo de Criptana: Windmills, Museums and La Mancha

Campo de Criptana combines historic windmills with museums, a cave house and the Laguna de Salicor wetland. Those wishing to combine cultural impressions with routes through the landscape will find different ways to explore the area here. The windmill ensemble of Campo de Criptana on the Sierra de los Molinos and Cerro de la Paz is recognised as an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) and protected as a historic site.

Culture

The Molino Burleta preserves its original mechanisms and structure. The Molino Culebro houses the Sara Montiel Museum, with personal belongings and items from her professional career. The Molino Quimera contains a museum that reconstructs the Holy Week processions of Campo de Criptana in miniature; Holy Week is recognised as a festival of regional tourist interest.

The Centro de Interpretación del Molino Manchego presents various types of windmills, as well as their operation and machinery. At the Eloy Teno Museum, you can see a selection of works by the sculptor inspired by Cervantes. The different buildings and exhibitions each have their own focus, ranging from historical mechanisms and religious traditions to art.

History

The Casa-Cueva de La Pastora Marcela cave house preserves its original appearance and conveys an impression of former domestic life in the Albaicín Criptano. It is offered as a guided tour lasting around 20 minutes; tickets must be purchased at the Oficina de Turismo. The Pósito Real is an original 16th-century building that served as an agricultural grain bank. Today, it is also the town museum of Campo de Criptana and includes a permanent archaeological exhibition.

Routes and experiences

The local tourism portal offers an organised one-day route through Campo de Criptana that includes the town's main sights. Traditional milling can be viewed on the first Sunday of every month in one of the historic windmills. In July, August and September, these demonstrations instead take place on the first Saturday evening.

From the centre of Campo de Criptana, an approximately 20-kilometre, moderately easy round trip leads to the Laguna de Salicor along well-maintained minor roads and without using the main road. Another walking route is listed as 4.2 kilometres long, with a walking time of around one hour. Different route lengths and walking times can help structure your day's plans clearly.

Nature

The Laguna de Salicor is a seasonal, saline endorheic wetland that was designated a nature reserve in 2000. It forms part of the La Mancha Húmeda wetlands and is designated as a Special Protection Area for birds (ZEPA).

During migration, large concentrations of cranes and other steppe and wading birds can be found at the Laguna de Salicor, including little bustards, sandgrouse, stone-curlews and great bustards. From the Sierra de los Molinos, the view extends across La Mancha's Castilian-Manchegan plain.

Food and drink

The Molino Inca Garcilaso houses a wine museum with exhibitions on the history of wine, wine from Campo de Criptana and D.O. La Mancha. Traditional specialities from Campo de Criptana include the sweet treat Cordiales and Titos, roasted almortas seasoned with salt and paprika. Regional cuisine therefore features just as concretely among the local themes as the windmills, museums and landscapes.

Other places

Further destinations for your trip planning: Horcajo De Los Montes, Mestanza, Socuéllamos, Navas De Estena, Porzuna, Almadén, Hinojosas De Calatrava, Picón.

For the higher-level travel overview: Ciudad Real.