Almansa, Medieval castle town in Albacete Province, Spain.
Almansa is a town in Albacete Province in southeastern Spain, situated at about 700 meters elevation amid limestone hills and farmland. The settlement spreads across terrain surrounded by agricultural fields and rocky uplands that shape its landscape.
The town became prominent in 1707 when Bourbon forces won a decisive battle here during the War of Spanish Succession, fundamentally altering Spain's political future. This military victory shifted the balance of power and had lasting consequences for the entire nation.
The town celebrates its past through the Moros y Cristianos festival each May, when residents dress in period costumes and reenact medieval confrontations through parades and street performances. This celebration shows how locals keep their history alive and share it with visitors who come to watch.
The town sits on a main route connecting Madrid, Valencia, and Alicante, making it a natural stopping point for travelers passing through the region. Visitors should know that it sits on hilly terrain, so walking shoes and some patience with elevation changes help when exploring the area.
The Almansa Reservoir, built in 1584, stands as one of Europe's oldest water storage systems still in active use today and sits a few kilometers outside the city. This ancient structure shows the early engineering needed to manage water resources in the dry region.
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