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Located in the province of Ciudad Real, in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, Ruidera is a place of surprising landscapes with great water wealth, reflected in its beautiful lagoons and the source of the Guadiana River . It is believed that its name is due to the noises of the nearby torrents. Its population is located between the Cueva de Morenilla and Del Rey lagoons. This 13th century village had its industrial heyday in the 18th century because the textile and gunpowder factories used the water for their mills and fulling mills.
What to see in Ruidera
In Ruidera you can enjoy beautiful places that will make you come back. Among them are:
Ruidera Lagoons
Visiting the Las Lagunas de Ruidera Park is one of the best natural experiences in Spain . Due to the plurality of its environments, it was declared a Natural Park in July 1979 . In it, there are fifteen spectacular lagoons, located in the valley along the 30 km of Alto Guadiana. Due to the irregularity of the relief of the area, the lagoons overflow and pour into each other, generating an incredible spectacle of jumps, waterfalls and rock formations that make this one of those destinations that you should know .
Waterfalls
They are beautiful waterfalls that link the lagoons of the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park until you reach the Peñarroya Reservoir . Each lagoon spills its water loaded with magnificent mineral properties onto the next. These minerals, along with the algae at the bottom of each pond, retain water, giving rise to its unique appearance. These curtains of water fall down the rock walls that have been shaped over many years . Offering the visitor the enjoyment of observing shapes and colors that harmonize with each other.
Cerro de las Canteras
It is a work of nature that stands in the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park. This place is a viewpoint that allows you to observe the lagoons and the entire environment. From there you can see the old bridge that crosses over Laguna del Rey, belonging to national highway 430 . The hill is a monumental limestone deposit, from which stones were extracted in the past for different constructions, including the milling, gunsmithing and fulling industries in the area.
Peñarroya Castle
Nestled in the irregular but attractive relief of Ruidera, this castle was a Muslim fortress from the 12th century , which later passed into Christian hands. From there they controlled the cliff of the Guadiana River. Its remains and slender reddish towers, together with the fascinating turquoise color of the water of the reservoir that bears its name, form a dazzling view. This place is the entrance to the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park . The flow formed by the waters from the park's lagoons is concentrated there.
Rochafrida Castle
This castle was a walled military fortress, of Muslim origin, built at the beginning of the Telegram Number Data century. With the purpose of perfectly monitoring their surroundings, they designed its plan in the shape of an irregular dodecagon polygon. At the beginning of the 13th century, the Christians took possession of it after the Battle of Navas. In addition, it served as inspiration for romantic literary works of the Middle Ages. When going along the Rochafrida Trail it is possible to see the remains of this historic place.
The Hanging Lagoon
This beautiful and immense lagoon, with an area of 2,400 m² and 40 meters deep, is the largest in the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park . It offers crystal-clear waters of magnificent turquoise color, which enhance the other colors of the landscape. The waters of the Batana Lagoon and the Hazadillas stream flow there. It is the only one located between Ciudad Real and Albacete, provinces where the park is located . In its waters there extends a strip of sand (tomlo) that demarcates the natural border between them.
Sinking Waterfall
It is an attractive waterfall, the highest in the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park. It originated in 1545 due to a flood of water that occurred on January 20. It is located about 200 meters from the cemetery of the town of Ruidera and can be reached by a staircase dug into the ground . At the end of the staircase there is a viewpoint that allows you to enjoy the waterfall and murals that show the history of the waterfall.
The Mills Canal
It is an old and peculiar canal that existed since 1478. It carried water from Laguna del Rey to the flour mills and fulling mills of the town. This small canal, 158 meters long, 5 meters wide and 2.40 meters deep, was essential for the industries of the 15th century, including the gunpowder factory, which it crossed on its route. It starts at the Compuerta Real and continues parallel to the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park road.
King's House
This historic house is also called Casa Grande due to its large size. It is a sober construction from the 18th century , with straight lines, in a neoclassical style, which stands out from the other buildings in the town. It was built by order of King Carlos III, to be inhabited by his son: the Infante Don Gabriel . This two-story construction with a square floor plan and additional chamber has a beautiful interior patio and several rooms . It is believed that during the first war it was called the King's Pavilions.
Montesinos Cave
It is a very old cave that was formed by the passage of rainwater. It communicates through groundwater with the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park. It surprises those who visit it because of the stalagmites and stalactites , as well as the geodes and other mineral formations that decorate the place. Furthermore, at the bottom of this 80-meter-deep cavity a spring of water emerges that makes the site even more special. Archaeological pieces have been found there that demonstrate the existence of prehistoric, Iberian and Roman peoples in the place .
Where to stay in Ruidera?
In the town of Ruidera, as well as in the Lagunas de Ruidera National Park, there are numerous accommodations, which offer excellent conditions for their guests to enjoy their stay, and prices that suit everyone. Some of them in the town are Hotel Guadiana, Hotel La Noria, Hotel Matías, Hostal La Vereda and in the park Apartahotel Doña Ruidera, Complejo Rural Mirador de Ruidera, Casas Rurales Quijote y Sancho, Fincas Rurales A Pie de Laguna, Casa La Higuera .
Gastronomy in Ruidera
If you go Ruidera you have the opportunity to taste the tasty and unmistakable gastronomy with La Mancha flavor, in which they use the best products for its preparation. It is a traditional cuisine that is based on lamb, among other game meats . Some of its tastiest and most popular dishes are lamb stew, ratatouille, Manchego gazpacho, pickled partridge and porridge. These should be accompanied with a good wine and a piece of the excellent cheese that is prepared in the town.
How to get to Ruidera
You can go to Ruidera from Ciudad Real by car, bus or train. If you go by car, the 108 km route will take a little more than an hour. If the option is the bus, you must take it at the Ciudad Real station and the journey will be 3 and a half hours due to transfers, since there is no direct route. You can also take a bus at Madrid South Station. If you chose to travel by train, it will be a one hour and forty minute trip to Villarrobledo and then 50 minutes by bus to Ruidera. |
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发表于 2023-12-2 13:45:27