Consuegra
Encyclopedia
Consuegra is a municipality located in the province of Toledo, Castile-La Mancha
, Spain
. In 2009 the municipality had a population of 10,932 inhabitants. It is 80 km from Ciudad Real and 60 km from Toledo.
The principal economy sector is agriculture. The industry is predominated by textile and wood. The castle and the windmills are Consuegra's most important monuments.
Most Spanish windmills, like those described in Cervantes
's Don Quixote, can be found in the province of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain. The best examples of restored Spanish windmills may be found in Consuegra where several mills spike the hill just outside of town, giving us a spectacular view of the 12th century castle and of the town. The castle was once a stronghold when Consuegra was the seat and priory of the Knights of San Juan, the Spanish branch of the Knight's Hospitallers of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Windmills are also located in Mota del Cuervo, Tomelloso, and Campo de Criptana.
Some of the most important parts of the windmill are:
All of them had names to differentiate one from another:
Names today
There were 13 windmills originally, but 12 have been reconstructed.
, but historical records only recall that a fortress here was initially built by Almanzor. During the Reconquest, in times of Alfonso VIII to the Knights Hospitaller
. In 1813 it was destroyed during the Peninsular War
.
In 1962 the castle was ceded to the town hall and underwent a period of reconstruction. This received an impulse in 1985 with the creation of the School Workshop, whose activity continue today.
In the city can be found workshops of classically designed items, in which there are elaborate doors, iems, and furniture for domestic use, such as chairs or bedrooms and two great workshops in stone.
The last October weekend includes the Rose of Saffron. This festival started in 1963. It is divided into several sections: the grain of wheat in Sancho's windmill, the choosing of a "Dulcinea
" by the townsfolk, and a gastronomic competition. It was created in 1962 by D. Oscar Dignoes.
Some of its important celebrations are “San Antón”, Easter or its own celebrations from the 20th to the 25th of September, its more distinguish celebrations are “La Fiesta de La Rosa del Azafrán” and “Consuegra Medieval”.
Castile-La Mancha
Castile-La Mancha is an autonomous community of Spain. Castile-La Mancha is bordered by Castile and León, Madrid, Aragon, Valencia, Murcia, Andalusia, and Extremadura. It is one of the most sparsely populated of Spain's autonomous communities...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. In 2009 the municipality had a population of 10,932 inhabitants. It is 80 km from Ciudad Real and 60 km from Toledo.
The principal economy sector is agriculture. The industry is predominated by textile and wood. The castle and the windmills are Consuegra's most important monuments.
Most Spanish windmills, like those described in Cervantes
Cervantes
-People:*Alfonso J. Cervantes , mayor of St. Louis, Missouri*Francisco Cervantes de Salazar, 16th-century man of letters*Ignacio Cervantes, Cuban composer*Jorge Cervantes, a world-renowned expert on indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse cannabis cultivation...
's Don Quixote, can be found in the province of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain. The best examples of restored Spanish windmills may be found in Consuegra where several mills spike the hill just outside of town, giving us a spectacular view of the 12th century castle and of the town. The castle was once a stronghold when Consuegra was the seat and priory of the Knights of San Juan, the Spanish branch of the Knight's Hospitallers of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Windmills are also located in Mota del Cuervo, Tomelloso, and Campo de Criptana.
Windmills
Consuegra is famous due to its windmills. They became famous in the 16th century, when Don Quixote was first published.. The introduction of the windmills was made by "Caballeros Sanjuanistas", who brought these machines that helped millers. These machines used the wind to grind grain (the most common grain is wheat). The windmills were transmitted from fathers to sons. They usually consisted of two rooms or levels. Millers had to carry sacks of grains that could weigh 60 or 70 kilos to the top floor, they rotated the sails of the windmill as the top part of the windmill or dome was moveable. They stopped being used at the beginning of the1980s.Some of the most important parts of the windmill are:
- Tunnel or canal: through it the grain goes down.
- Container: where the grain is stored
- Piece of wood: for moving the sails
All of them had names to differentiate one from another:
- Names in 1963
- La zorra
- La tuerta
- Mochilas
- Vista alegre
- Panza
- Bolero
- Santo domingo
- Chispas
- Rastrero
- Por si pega
- Bateria
- Espartero
- Blanco
Names today
- Sin nombre
- Clavileño
- Chispas
- Espartero
- Rucio
- Cardeño
- Caballero del verde gabán
- Alcancia
- Ruinas
- Sancho
- Mambrino
- Bolero
There were 13 windmills originally, but 12 have been reconstructed.
Castle of Consuegra
The original fortress at the site was perhaps built by emperor TrajanTrajan
Trajan , was Roman Emperor from 98 to 117 AD. Born into a non-patrician family in the province of Hispania Baetica, in Spain Trajan rose to prominence during the reign of emperor Domitian. Serving as a legatus legionis in Hispania Tarraconensis, in Spain, in 89 Trajan supported the emperor against...
, but historical records only recall that a fortress here was initially built by Almanzor. During the Reconquest, in times of Alfonso VIII to the Knights Hospitaller
Knights Hospitaller
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta , also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta , Order of Malta or Knights of Malta, is a Roman Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature. It is the world's...
. In 1813 it was destroyed during the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
.
In 1962 the castle was ceded to the town hall and underwent a period of reconstruction. This received an impulse in 1985 with the creation of the School Workshop, whose activity continue today.
Town hall and major square
The town hall is in Renaissance style and it is located at the major square, called "Plaza de España". It was built on 1670. Joined to the townhall it is the "La torre del reloj". In this square is the building called "Los Corredores" (17th century), which is a typical structure of La Mancha and which was an old townhall.Crafts
The crafts are a tradition of "consuegra" noted for its quality and variety. The raw materials with these products are created normally are autochthonous, and are mainly from that region.In the city can be found workshops of classically designed items, in which there are elaborate doors, iems, and furniture for domestic use, such as chairs or bedrooms and two great workshops in stone.
Festivals
Dulcinea
"Dulcinea del Toboso" is a fictional character who is referred to in Miguel de Cervantes' novel Don Quixote. Seeking the traditions of the knights-errant of old, Don Quixote finds a true love whom he calls Dulcinea. She is a simple peasant in his home town, but Quixote imagines her to be the most...
" by the townsfolk, and a gastronomic competition. It was created in 1962 by D. Oscar Dignoes.
Some of its important celebrations are “San Antón”, Easter or its own celebrations from the 20th to the 25th of September, its more distinguish celebrations are “La Fiesta de La Rosa del Azafrán” and “Consuegra Medieval”.