Perhaps the main city attraction is Albacete Knife Museum opened in 2004. The museum's halls display rich collections of knives and daggers, as well as other artifacts made of steel. In the past, Albacete was a major industrial center. Knives produced in local factories were in great demand, being considered among the best in the world. The museum is housed in a beautiful historic building dating back to 1912. Skillfully executed tiles of green color make its Neo-Gothic facade really special.
Also, visitors should visit an ancient cathedral, which witnessed many important historical events and is striking with its unique architectural style. A huge number of historic landmarks are concentrated in the suburban areas of Albacete. Exploring all the old castles and fortresses would probably take more than one day full of excursions.
Alcalá del Júcar Castle built by the Arabs in the early 13th century is definitely worth visiting. The castle had been repeatedly rebuilt by Christians, changing its purpose several times. One of the main fortifications erected in the 12th century is the Castle of Almansa. At the beginning of the 14th century, the fortress was almost completely rebuilt by the order of the Marquis of Villena. The structure has been perfectly preserved to the present day. The most beautiful castle is Chinchilla de Montearagón Castle, which played an important role in the outcome of many battles during the years of the struggle for independence. The magnificent castle of dark stone is surrounded a spacious area and high walls. It's amazing how the castle built in the middle of the 13th century could be preserved so well after so many years. Another prominent monument of Arab times is Castillo de Peñas de San Pedro. Most of its constructions were destroyed during devastating battles. In 1836, the fortress was occupied by the troops of the Carlists. Local historical sights worth mentioning also include the castles of Yeste and Socovos.
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