CITY DESCRIPTIONS IN CASTILE LA MANCHA

Toledo

The capital of this Autonomous Community, is without a doubt one of the densest monumental cities in the world. Nearly all the different stages of Spanish art are represented in Toledo, which has Moorish-Mudejar-Jewish buildings, such as the Transito and Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogues; Gothic structures, such as the splendid cathedral: and Renaissance buildings. In the 16th century, the city became home to El Greco, and Toledo has many of his paintings, among which is "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz", his masterpiece which is housed in the Mudejar Church of Santo Tome. Among its many museums, of special note is the one located in the old Santa Cruz Hospital .

Cuenca

Located in a natural setting of phantasmagorical beauty, has a marked medieval charm. Famous are its so-called "hanging houses", buildings that appear suspended over a steep gorge. The city centre, remarkably beautiful, is presided over by a magnificent Gothic cathedral. It's Museum of Abstract Art is one of the finest of its kind.

Toledo

19.The Convent of Sain John of the Kings The convent of San Juan de los Reyes, from the second half of the 15th century. Finest example of Moorish Baroque from the last Spanish Gothic periods. Magnificent group of 12th, 13th and 14th century Mudejar Plateresque Style.
Cuenca

20.Cathedral of Cuenca On the Plaza Mayor, in the upper, older town. A Norman-Gothic building begun by Alfonso VIII over a former mosque. The larger chapel and altar and the transept are noteworthy.

Cuenca Province

21.Belmonte Castle:
Castle-fortress from the mid 15th century, today a National Monument, with its six cylindrical towers, beautiful Mudejar caissoned ceilings and sculpted stone ornamentation on the windows.

22. The Gothic Collegiate Church of San Bartolome (Belmonte):
With altarpieces from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries and priceless carved wood choir area by Egas Cueman, the Marquis de Villena tomb and the baptismal font of Fray Luis de León, who was born there.