Alarcón

Alarcón

We started our journey north from Vera Playa by visiting the Decathlon shop in Murcia before continuing to a gem of a place I did not know but was recommended to us. We travelled about 390 km.

The town of Alarcón is located amid the steep gorges that flank the Jucar river in the Province of Cuenca. It was declared a Historic-Artistic Site because of the beauty and harmony of its monuments and natural surroundings. It’s origins date from VIII century, a place of aristrocracy. The village's walled enclosure is almost intact, surrounding most of the town. It also has a castle with its keep still standing, witnesses to important historic events during the Reconquest; nowadays this monument houses the local Parador de Turismo. In the main square, or Plaza Mayor, dedicated to the memory of the Infante Don Juan Manuel, we found the church of San Juan Bautista, from the 16th century, built on top of an old Romanesque temple, and the City Hall.

We found this to be a beautiful and magical place and in amazingly good condition. We took a circular walk away from the village and back on  Sendero 71,  giving superb views of the river, walls, and Castle. It would be a joy to stay in the Castle, now a 4* Parador Hotel with Spa. At night the only sound to break the silence was the quiet water passing below.