In Search of Don Quixote

"Somewhere in La Mancha, in a place whose name I do not care to remember..." These are the first words of Don Quixote, a book widely considered as being the first modern novel. It is also thought by many as one of the greatest books ever written.

This is the story of an old knight driven mad by his books of chivalry -who imitates what he read in them as if it were all true-,  Sancho Panza, his loyal if not particularly bright squire and Rocinante, Don Quixote’s broken down old nag of a horse. However, the novel is not just a story, there is deeper meaning hidden in it. It is also a satire of contemporary politics and of popular fiction.

Consuegra is a village about 150km south of Madrid. It is famous for its charming white windmills, the same ones that Don Quixote mistook for giants and attacked in the book. Because of the windmills Consuegra is part of the 'Don Quixote trail' which takes travellers around the main sights mentioned in the book.

Apart from being home to Spain's best-preserved windmills, Consuegra is where the world’s finest saffron is grown. Once a year the village celebrates the Festival of the Saffron Rose (Fiesta de le Rosa del Azafrán). 

The fields around Consuegra turn purple in the autumn as the saffron crocuses bloom and one of the windmills (the one called Sancho) is set in motion each year for the previously mentioned celebration which takes place on the last weekend of October.

Also on the ridge overlooking the town is a ruined castle of 10th century Moorish origin and from here you get great views over the surrounding plains and the windmills.

Have a great weekend and thanks for reading!

Cristina xo