Castile - La Mancha
This region is in the central part of Spain, between Madrid
and Andalusia and is watered by the rivers Tajo and Guadiana
that flow towards Portugal. To the south of Madrid is
the city of Toledo, former capital of the Spanish Empire.
The city has one of the best painting collections of the
Greco, as well as the house where the artist lived. It
is recommended to visit in addition the Cathedral, the
Judería, the 3 Synagogues and the Church of Santo
Tomé. Guadalajara, capital of the province of the
same name, has very interesting civil buildings like the
Palace of the Infantado of the 15th century and religious
buildings like the Church of San Ginés.
Ciudad Real is the most important city in the region of
La Mancha, and where is set the action of the first modern
novel: Miguel de Cervantes´s Don Quixote de la Mancha.
Other important cities of La Mancha are Campo de Criptana,
Cuenca -famous by its Hanging Houses and by its Museum
of Abstract Art-, Albacete, Almansa, Chinchilla of Monte
Aragón and Villena.
The Independent Community of Extremadura is formed by
the provinces of Cáceres and Badajoz. Cáceres
was founded by the Romans on the 1st century BC. Its golden
age was during 16th century, since many of the Spanish
conquerors who went to America came from Extremadura and
to his return they constructed many lordly houses. In
this province, is also possible to visit Arroyo de Luz,
Trujillo -native town of the conqueror Francisco Pizarro-
and Plasencia.
In Badajoz are the cities of Albuquerque, Medellín
-native town of the conqueror Hernán Cortes - and
Mérida, a city with more than 2000 years of antiquity.
It was founded by the Romans, who designed it like a holiday
city. At the present time it conserves, in an enviable
state, a Roman Theatre, Amphitheatre, Coliseum and many
houses and temples. In addition there’s a Roman
Museum with pieces of excellent quality. Every year a
Festival of Classic Theatre is celebrated in summer, whose
plays are staged in the Roman Theatre. At the present
time this city is the seat of the Independent Parliament
and government of Extremadura.
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