A holiday in Almansa will transport you to a bygone age when the Moors and Christians fought here, halfway between Fuente de la Higuera and Cádiz.
Almansa Castle stands on the large Cerro del Águila, presiding over the town that has grown around it. The fort is one of the most beautiful in Spain, thanks mainly to the excellent restoration work that has been carried out on it relatively recently. Its origins date back to the 14th century, and its walls runs along the hill, adapting to the rocky terrain. The castle’s visitors’ centre is well worth a visit if you’d like to learn about the history behind its walls.
If you climb the spiral staircase of the castle’s tower, you’ll come to a crenellated terrace offering stunning views of the town and the surrounding fields. As you go down Calle del Castillo, you’ll reach the Town Hall, in the old quarter. The Town Hall can be found in the old Condes de Cirat Palace, built in the 16th century. Visit and enjoy the galleries in the courtyard with arches supported by beautiful Ionic columns.
Nearby you’ll find Iglesia Arciprestal de la Asunción, a church that dates back to the 16th century. The temple’s impressive doorway, decorated with an elaborate scene of the Assumption, leads to a dramatic vaulted interior inspired by the Palace of Versailles. The church has only one tower, with its rectangular floor plan and red bricks. Naturally it's a must-see for everyone enjoying a cheap trip to Almansa.
Plaza de San Agustín is also to be found in the interesting old quarter of Almansa. It’s there where you’ll find the convent of the Augustinian nuns, responsible for making the clothes to dress the Virgin of Bethlehem, the patron saint of Almansa. Next to the religious building is the Casa de la Cultura, or the House of Culture, which dates back to the 16th century and now houses the town library. Also worth a visit is Casa de los Marqueses de Montoral, a 17th-century palace with some beautiful gardens.
If you book one of our package deals to Almansa for May, you can also enjoy the festivities of the Moros y Cristianos, which represent the capture of land by the Moors and the subsequent Christian reconquest. In 2008, they were declared a festivity of National Tourist Interest thanks to the spectacular Embajada Mora Nocturna performance. Not to be missed!
