Tembleque

Tembleque is about 60 kilometres from the city of Toledo. This typical La Mancha village has been declared Property of Cultural Interest for its singular Plaza Mayor Square.

Its Plaza Mayor main square is a singular example of Castilian architecture, following the design of old open-air theatres. It is square and is porticoed with granite columns on the north south and east side. On top, there are two floors with corridors that are held up by wooden pillars, white washed facades, and the scandrels of the rails are decorated with the cross of Saint John. The square was built as the stage for taurine and celebratory shows, with galleries available and with a tower for the authorities. Beneath its arcades there are many bars and restaurants for enjoying a meal or a quiet snack. In it, there is also the Baroque City Hall tower from the 17th century. There are other sites worth visiting in Tembleque, like the Plaza del Orden, which joins with the Main Square through a hallway, the Tower House, a Baroque mansion from the 18th century, or the Casa de Postas, located on the outskirts. In the outlying area, about 15 kilometres away, stands the Cristo del Valle Shrine, to which two pilgrimages are made each year, one in May, the other in September.