Consuegra windmills
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Consuegra windmills - by javierAlamo from Pixabay
Description
Consuegra is a town in the Province of Toledo in Castile-La Mancha. It is best known for its twelve restored windmills and its 12th century Castle of La Muela (once a stronghold of the Knights Hospitaller) - those are next to each other just outside of town. The windmills were originally used to grind wheat and are now a major tourist attraction, riding on the fame of Cervantes' 17th century novel Don Quixote where the protagonist at one stage fights against those "giant" structures.
Access & Transport
The town of Consuegra is best reached by car; it is about 60km southeast of Toledo on the CM-42 and 70km northeast of Ciudad Real (CM-4116/CM-4167/N-401). The windmills and Castle are 1km south of Consuegra on a hill and parking is available onsite.
Instructions & Recommendations
Note that the Castle can be visited as well as the only windmill that is operating and the Archaeological Museum as part of a guided tour priced at 8€. No payment is required to check out the other windmills. However, the municipality has been exploring the idea of applying a fee (up to 10 euros per car) to prevent excessive traffic; it is not clear if or when this will take effect. Sunrise and sunset provide the best colours for photography.
Environmental & Social
Green activity. Helps preserve the region's cultural and architectural heritage and tourism brings some economic influx to the town
Conclusion
The windmills are definitely worth stopping for, but they are quite a way out of the next major town (closest being Toledo) or tourist sight so we would only recommend the drive there either when transitioning towards either Ciudad Real or Albacete provinces, or as part of a Toledo province drive taking in Tembleque and El Toboso for instance.
Key positive
Photogenic
Can visit one of them to understand how they are operated
Key negative
Little else to see in the area
Suitability
Several of the windmills are accessible for visitors with reduced mobility - the parking lots are next to or close to them.
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
June 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:1h
est. visit time:1h 15m
Sunrise / early morningOk
MorningOk
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightNo
Night – aft. midnightNo