Moral De Calatrava between culture and volcanic landscapes

The most important monumental area of Moral de Calatrava lies around the Plaza de España. In 1982, the town centre was declared a historic-artistic ensemble because of the special preservation of its traditional layout and vernacular architecture.

The Iglesia Parroquial San Andrés Apóstol was built incorporating a Muslim watchtower and completed in 1475. The predominantly Gothic church houses the fresco Cristobalón and Luis Tristán’s painting La Trinidad. Two kilometres from Moral de Calatrava in the direction of Almagro, the Museo Ruta Cervantina displays archaeological finds, tools from traditional crafts, ceramics and an extensive coin collection.

In the Barrio judeo-Morisco del Toledillo, narrow, irregular streets shape the townscape. According to local tradition, the name of the district may be connected to the fact that the area was formerly inhabited by Jews and Moriscos. The Antiguo Pósito Real also stands on the Plaza de España; it was probably completed in the mid-17th century and served as a granary.

The Palacete del Gobernador is a 19th-century building erected on a typical stately house from La Mancha, whose structure is still preserved. The palacete can be visited by making a reservation at the hotel or restaurant. The Ermita de la Virgen de la Sierra is a religious building from the 18th century and can also be visited.

Festivals and cuisine

Holy Week in Moral de Calatrava is part of the Ruta de la Pasión Calatrava. Its traditional elements include the armaos, dianas, the Prendimiento and the Caracola. The Ruta de la Pasión Calatrava includes Moral de Calatrava and, during Holy Week, connects several municipalities in Campo de Calatrava in a tourist and cultural route; it has been declared a festival of international tourist interest.

The Centro de Interpretación del Aceite Campo de Calatrava offers guided olive oil tastings for groups of eight or more visitors. Visits for organised groups and school groups can be arranged there on weekday mornings from Monday to Friday.

The Romería de San Blas takes place on the first weekend of February and begins with the Candelaria and a tasting of the traditional hornazos in the Sierra del Moral. Traditional cuisine in Moral de Calatrava includes migas, gachas, pisto manchego, pipirrana, asadillo and caldereta, among other dishes.

More town pages: Viso Del Marqués, Membrilla, El Cristo Del Espíritu Santo, Santa Cruz De Mudela, Albaladejo, Villarrubia De Los Ojos, Puebla del Príncipe, Brazatortas.

Landscape and nature

The Volcán de la Mesnera, also known as Volcán Viznera, was the last active volcano in Campo de Calatrava. Its volcanic activity ended in 1575 with small explosions in the La Sima area. A road leading to the Volcán Viznera, also called Mesnera, branches off the CRP5212 road between Moral de Calatrava and Manzanares and heads east out of Moral de Calatrava towards the Finca Las Navillas.

The Molino de Viento/Mirador is a 17th-century windmill on Cerro San Cristóbal. As a windmill on a hill, it serves as a viewpoint offering expansive views across the Campo de Calatrava plain.

An eight-shaped lagoon is home to a diverse bird population, including flamingos, black-winged stilts, red-breasted geese and white-headed ducks. One of the local lagoons is the largest and contains reed, cattail and rush stands that favour the breeding of various waterbird species.

The nature itineraries developed by the Ayuntamiento for various target groups include the route Las Lagunas y la Vega del Jabalón. A natural area around the Sierra Prieta is characterised by a species-rich animal and plant life as well as high vertical cliffs suitable for climbing. A natural gorge between Cerro de las Hoyas and Cerro de San Cristóbal consists of high quartzite walls that are also suitable for climbing.

For the broader travel overview: Ciudad Real.