La Mancha

18-Oct-23

On our way to Madrid, we stopped in Consuegra to follow path of Cervantes. Nick was so excited to walk through the pages of Don Quixote & literally step into the 'giant' windmills! The current 12 windmills were not here during Cervantes' time - they built at the turn of the 20th century - but some of them do still have working grindstones in them. This was the only way to grind grains from the surrounding farms because the region lacks a river or local water source but is gifted with abundant and strong winds (which we experienced first hand!). So much so that, even through the old windmills are outdated technology, modern windfarms have popped up on the outskirts of town. 

The dark storm clouds lend a wonderfully moody aire to the morning!

View of neighboring windmill from inside one

1st upper floor used as bedroom or workshop of mill tenders (bottom floor was shop/exchange)

Upper-most floor was the grindstone and mechanics for rotating the blades into the direction of the wind to make it work

Views of Consuegra from the mills

Alongside the windmills is Consuegra Castle. It was built by the Moors in the 11th century, the fortress was take over by the Christians in the 12th century and guarded by the  Knights Hospitaller. The castle eventually fell into ruins but is now an educational museum. We had the best tour guide of the trip, who was clearly used to giving tours to school groups because she led the tour as if reading a storybook, guiding us through the parts of the castle as if we were conquerors at the gate. Nick got to pay king ;)