A 15 minute city

 We are heading into Ciudad Real and why not. Blink and we shall be through the other side and onto Toledo.


 Ciudad Real was created in 1255 as part of the colonisation and resettling of the frontier with Moorish Spain. The hamlet of Pozuelo de San Gil had the new town plonked on top of it. The arrival of this royal domain in the middle of land held by the Order of Calatrava, it struggled for people to start off with especially when the order set up Miguelturra to act as a rival.




To be honest it has not been entirely plain sailing for the city - many being own goals. Having established a Jewish population a 1391 pogrom was not a happy time. On a more architectural level the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and the Civil War did for others. I know, that is a few things in many centuries but the city never grew to great heights.




So into town and the Museo del Quijote. https://www.ciudadreal.es/servicios-municipales/cultura/museos/museo-del-quijote.html  It opens from 10am to 1.45pm amd 5pm to 7.45pm every day save Sundays, when it only opens in the morning.  Four days ago Ramon said ‘Not only the paintings, but the audiovisual presentations are also excellent and make a great finale to the Don Quixote route.’  arlos added ‘Museum with paintings inspired by Cervantes' book and a very entertaining 30-minute audiovisual presentation that flies by. ‘



We are on to the Museo de Ciudad Real.  https://www.ciudadreal.es/servicios-municipales/cultura/museos/museo-provincial.html  Today, Jose wrote ‘Check the website for opening hours; closed Mondays. Good accessibility, friendly staff. Living history from our hominid ancestors to the present day. Highly recommended; adults and children alike will enjoy it. Visit on a Sunday, and other museums and towns should take note: admission is FREE.’



I think food is in order and the Roraima Bar Restaurante offers us Venezuelan food and why not. Cunatismas used the power of five stars recklessly when writing ‘The cook and the food were very good... the service needs to improve in both quantity and quality to avoid losing real customers. ‘   Carlos was more thoughtful.  ‘Excellent atmosphere and delicious food, there's a place for children to play'



Out of town we head and passed the Puerta de Toledo. 2379 people choose to review this.  Geraldine felt ‘Really interesting that it has the modern world around it but still stands out so well.’   Magali felt ‘A magnificent tower, the only one remaining of the seven that once formed part of the walls of Ciudad Real. It is both solid and elegant, with several pointed arches and two ribbed domes. Built in the Mudéjar Gothic style, it is very well preserved, having undergone several restoration projects. ‘




So out of town we go.













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