We are off to Puertollano - which is what happens when people spot a convenient gap in the hills to run road and railway transport through. 45,565 people lived here last year and it has been described as ‘the mining city’ and ‘the industrial beacon of La Mancha.’ This is a bit of a surprise - well, I wasn’t expecting a place of such size. It is August. The average temperature is 25 oC. That is about half a degree less than July but if you want rain, forget it. 6mm for the whole month.
This region was depopulated during the advance of the Christian powers. The Order of Calatrava, a Castilian Military, got given the place - which is first mentioned in 1245. Things were going reasonably - what with crops and livestock - when the Black Death swept through the place, leaving 13 families to carry the place on. In the 16th century Philip II gave the place a town charter - which spurred them on to develop a weaving industry and become a manufacturer of small jugs.
Puertollano became a city in 1920. Its growth had been recently spurred by the coal industry and then petrochemicals. The first railway arrived in 1897 and the place developed into a bit of a hub. All this industry brought with it working class movements, In 1914 the town council got its majority of working class councillors and in 1916 a plebeian mayor - Eduardo Gomez. Currently they have their first PP mayor, breaking the Post 1979 PSOE monopoly.
Population wise Puerollano bumbled along the 3-4000 mark till the 1889s. It then rocketed to 20,000 by 1920. It rose again in the 30s and continued its rise till it peaked at almost 54,000 in the 1960s. Since then it has wandered about but ended where it is today.
One of the things the city is famous for is its sour spring. In 1575 it was recorded ‘"This town has water within its boundaries, which it needs for its use and drinking, in a moderate number of wells, and next to the said town there is a spring called the Fuente Aceda (Sour Spring) because its water is sour and it flows upwards from the ground, boiling, ordinarily without ceasing."
As you expect from any town worthy of the name. It has an ethnographic museum. https://portusplanus.com/ The website seems to have been last updated in 2023. Two months ago Maricarmen said ‘A lovely museum of antiques, well worth a visit and a little time spent there. The ladies who work there are charming. Thank you, don't miss it! ‘
Juan gave move detail ‘Interesting? No, beyond interesting. Highly recommended. The building itself is fascinating. A late 19th-century building constructed to house the Oretana mining company. Inside, you can step back into the region's agricultural and livestock past. Adjacent to the building, within the grounds, is an exhibition about the city's mining history. The flowers, plants, and trees in the garden are striking. And get this: even an ancient Visigothic tomb! All of this is thanks to the volunteer work of a local association. If there's one drawback, it's the neglected state of the garden and the coat of arms on the facade, an image this city doesn't deserve. But I suppose, considering the state of the city center, we should be grateful that they at least maintain such a pleasantly unique building. ‘
La Jarana Bar may be more to our taste. A York Ham sandwich will set you back 5.50 euros. Mikael was happy. ‘Amazing restaurant with a concept where yopu can choose one tapas each time you order a drink. We had 3 different drinks and 3 different tapas each and becase full and content for the price of 18 Euros for two persons. Place is crowded with locals so adviseable to come early when they open.’ https://lajaranabar.wixsite.com/website/nuestracarta
Out of town we go. We don’t need a car wash, but let us go anyway. This is exactly a 4 star gaff. Two weeks ago Santi went the full five stars. I really like it, and it's not expensive to wash your car there. The gentleman who works there is a very nice person. Thank you.
We will end approaching a roundabout - which may be symbolic.
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