In the Sierra de Alcaraz mountains at the San Cristóbal hillside is where one of the most beautiful towns in Albacete is located, 80 kilometres southwest of the province’s capital, in a beautiful natural setting next to the Calares del Mundo and de la Sima Natural Park. Alcaraz has an impressive and artistic portfolio of spectacular monuments. The most emblematic place in the town and, therefore, the first stop in the visit is the Plaza Mayor. This rectangular Renaissance site is dominated by the facing towers, those of the church and of Tardón, both being works of the incredible Alcaraz native architect, Andrés de Vandelvira.

The Town Hall and the Regatería and Corregidor markets are also located here. As you cross the square, you reach a smaller one that leads to the Church of the Holy Trinity, the most important temple with a beautiful patio from which you can see the two towers mentioned above.

Other things to see in Alcaraz are its traditional mansions, among which the Galiano house and the House of Justice with the Tourist Office, the Santa María Magdalena monastery, the Gorgojí tower, the Trinidad García carpet workshop, and the San Francisco convent are most notable.

Now let’s turn to the outskirts of the town. You cannot miss a visit to the ruins of the Alcaraz castle. The fortress stands on the San Cristóbal hill, with the public cemetery inside. The fortress itself is not the most interesting due to its condition, but it has the best views of the Alcaraz mountain range and the town with its striking Renaissance towers. 6 kilometres away is the Nuestra Señora de Cortes sanctuary, a 17th century temple on a hill with a beautiful baroque altarpiece.

According to the Andalusian geographer Al-Zuhri, it is currently understood that the existence of the toponym “Sierra de Alcaraz” الكرز الجبل (i.e., Cherry tree mountain range) came before the name of the town of Alcaraz.