The Route's Castles - 
It has three walled enclosures occupying a total surface of 46.000 m2 approximately. The lines of the wall settle themselves directly on the rock and it continues the disposition of the rocks. In the south zone of the first wall one finds the so called Puerta del Sol today very altered. Following the line of the wall we think the gap to the west, other one to the north and other meters later on a door that looks eastwards. These doors and gaps have a difficult access and they are hidden for corners and buttresses of the wall. In the start point of the way that it drives directly to the castle there exist remains of a former door constructed with volcanic rock of which today we do not know its function.
CONVENT:
It was a construction of arches and vault of brick with labors of plaster-work in its four walls. Under the north body of the cloister one finds the principal cistern. On the cloister one was finding a corridor and two rooms.
CASTLE:
Between the church and the Campo de los Mártires there is a zone of access to the castle across a door with two arches, today very restored. Raising the stairs we find an elbow formed by two arches of stone that gives place to a domed space and that is opened for the right with three arches for the court of weapon. From here we go on to the dependences of the master, existing under its bedroom a cistern. The stairs of snail leads us to the file, this piece constructed only in stone and separated from the rest of the castle to avoid its destruction in case of fire. For another stairs we find in the first level two stays, and following the stairs we come to what today they are terraces and in another time they were dependences of the castle.
Location: Between 1 to 20 Kms from Rural house "Casa de Pacas"
HISTORY OF ALMAGRO AND BOLAÑOS
Almagro is one of the great jewels of Spain . It is home to less than 10,000 people, but there is a strong cultural history as the city progressed greatly under the dominion of the Order of Calatrava. The city was later influenced in the XVI century by flamenco bankers and Germans.
Almagro is a surprising city with terraces of all types. The extreme temperatures of the region resulted in the Arabs bringing their custom and culture of terraces to the area. This tradition has survived diverse times and civilizations, all leaving their influence.
Almagro, the cradle of Calatrava, whose name probably comes from Arab almagreb (reddish earth argillaceous with iron oxide which was used to paint beams and columns in the area) is an oasis.
Almagro also offers a stroll through history. The church of the Dominican ones, San Bartholomew, and the church of the Mother of God all deserve a visit as well as the hermitages of San Juan, San Blas and San Francisco . Furthermore, the hermitage of San Augustin has even been turned into an exhibition hall.
The magnificent Greater Seat a destiny of many visitors, surprises people by it's structure of stone supports. It was bigger by the Fugger family, relatives and employees. The Consistorial House that dates from the XVI century can also be visited.
In the main square all kinds of taverns may be found offering the typical gastronomy of the region. For example 'gachas' are a typical dish from the area made with eggplants or 'migas' with fish and peppers.
Corral de comedias de Almagro: In July, during the International Theatre Festival, a special visit to Almagro is worth the trouble in spite of the summery heat. During these days the Corral de Comedias, a traditional theatre dating from the XVII century reopens its doors for performances.
Leaving Almagro heading North one passes through Bolanos de Calatrava an interesting urban site. Whose history dates back to the Romans and this is celebrated with an important monument in the field of Calatrava. There is also the Castle of Dona Berenguela , which later became a Muslim establishment. After the Navas of Tolosa it was handed down to Dona Berenguela (Daughter of Alfonso VII) who gave birth to one of the great men of Bolanos. Later it was donated to the service of Calatrava while serving as the residence for the Great Master up until 1544 when it changed owners, belonging to Encomienda de Bolanos.
CASA DE PACAS is a strategic spot for visiting the Castle of Dona Berenguela in Bolans (Ciudad Real), the Corral de Comedias, the national museum of theatre, the Embroidery museum, the palaces and convents of Almagro and to visit the national park of the Tablas of Daimiel and the national park of Cabaneros with possibilities to go horseback riding. One may also visit the castle of Calatrava in Calzada de Calatrava or the Archaeological Park of Alarcos in Ciudad Real .
Tablas de Daimiel National Park -
It was declared a National Park on June 28, 1973. It is located 606 metres above sea level on the vast plains of La Mancha, in the province of Ciudad Real, Tablas de Daimiel are the last remaining site of an ecosystem called fluvial tables, which was typical in La Mancha up until the end of the 60s. This wetland landscape was formed thanks to rivers that burst their banks in the central areas of their courses that were formed thanks to semi-endorheic processes and the lack inclination of the surrounding land.
This is an endangered wetlands area. Tablas de Daimiel exists thanks to the merging of two different rivers: the River Cigüela, that is a seasonal river with brackish water and the River Guadiana, that supplies permanent freshwater. In addition to these surface waters, there are underground waters that used to surface in the area and registered high metering levels. These floodwaters arising from the ground are called Ojos or Ojillos in the area, and they are used to name a number of sites in the area. The most famous holes are the ”Ojos del Guadiana”.
At the Visitor’s Centre information is provided on the nature site and its surroundings in six exhibition and audiovisual rooms.
Location: 18 Kms from Rural house "Casa de Pacas"
In the centre of La Mancha itself, in the province of Ciudad Real. The main access is from Daimiel (10km) via the N-420 road. Another secondary access route departs Villarrubia de los Ojos and links with the Malemocho Mill.
Cabañeros National Park
The Cabañeros National Park was declared a National Park on November 20, 1995. Its landscape is formed by extensive grazing lands with rich seasonal pastures where a variety of animals feed. The hills and peaks covered with Mediterranean forest and scrublands are the home to a variety of birds and mammals. Here we find over 200 different bird species, with the most noteworthy species being large birds of prey, including eagles and vultures; and mammals such as deers, roe deers or boars. The park is also noted for its rich flora, including a variety of tree and bush species.
The Park is located in the Montes de Toledo (Toledo Mountains), in the north-western region of the province of Ciudad Real, and its surface also covers a section of the southwest of the province of Toledo.
Two roads run through the Park and these may be used to get to know some of the park’s features.
The road between Horcajo de los Montes and Retuerta del Bullaque mainly covers bush land areas (rock roses, heath and strawberry trees). Gargantilla is accessed via an unpaved pathway that tourists can use. It is eight kilometres long, and part of section p.k. 37 of the CM-4157 road.
We recommend starting the visit to the Park at one of its free entry centres. At these centres, leaflets are available and there are guides and guards who can provide directions and answer questions. Guided tours are available on request, by calling: 926 78 32 97
Location: 90 Kms from "Casa de Pacas" Rural house.
It is located in the Toledo Mountains, bordering with the River Bullaque on the east and the River Estena on the west, and including the El Chorito and Rocigalgo mountains
Lagunas de Ruidera Nature Reserve
It is considered one of the most beautiful wetland nature areas in the Peninsula, and its most prominent feature are waterfalls linking one lagoon to another. The lagoons provide the natural drainage of a large part of the Campo de Montiel aquifer. The surface of the lagoons is not large as a whole, with a few exceptions (Lagoons of San Pedro, Colgada and Rey) and their depth varies depending on the weather.
The Lagunas de Ruidera Nature Reserve is located in the Alto Valle del Río Guadiana (High River Guadiana Valley) and it marks the border between Ciudad Real and Albacete.
It comprises a network of 15 lagoons, distinguished for waterfalls connecting one lagoon to another over 25 kilometres.
The slope between the first lagoon, called La Blanca, and the last lagoon called La Cenagosa, is 120 metres.
It is considered one of the most interesting and beautiful natural wetland spaces in the Iberian Peninsula
Location: 86 Kms from "Casa de Pacas" rural house
The lagoons are situated in the provinces of Ciudad Real and Albacete, in Campo de Montiel, on the high course of the River Guadiana.
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