Culture of Albacete. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

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. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

It is nice to walk along Pasaje de Lodares, which is fascinating to behold from the very first minutes. This place is full of shops and restaurants. They all have a special color, but nevertheless, fit into the overall composition. The passage is built in the contemporary style, making it similar to Italian galleries. One place which you cannot ignore is the Plaza de Toros de Albacete. The fact being that every major and self-respecting city of Spain, by definition, must have such places. Albacete being just that also has one. This bullfighting building has a distinctive feature, which is the presence of monuments to great toreadors erected next to it.

Among the sacral sights of the city, special mention should go to the Catedral de San Juan Bautista. The building has an attractive exterior, and on entering inside, you may be surprised that the content also corresponds to its beautiful exterior. It is a very attractive cathedral next to which you can feel an unsurpassed pacification. It is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows, as well as its beautiful altar. Catedral De San Juan De Albacete is another interesting religious monument, which is part-time the main church of the city. The uniqueness of the temple is the stunning paintings on its walls depicting scenes of the Holy Week.

The Banco de Espana building is interesting from an architectural point of view. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century in the neoclassical style, and its facade is decorated with sculptures. A popular meeting place among young people is the square near Parroquia de Fátima. However, the church is remarkable not only for this but also for the fact that it is one of the most beautiful churches in the city, striking with its white and beautiful tower. On entering inside, you can find a beautiful patio with arcades. The Teatro Circo has a fascinating atmosphere. It is a place where you can watch an interesting performance, enjoy the cultural program, and also explore the interesting architecture of the building.

In Museo de Albacete, which is located on the territory of Parque Urbano Abelardo Sánchez (which by the way, is also the largest park of the city), you can behold such exhibits as various archaeological finds, items relating to the history of the city and all of Spain, as well as ancient gold coins and dolls from the time of the Roman Empire. Museo Municipal, where the Town Hall used to be located, today attracts tourists with its interesting exhibits. Among them are works of art (on first floor, where temporary exhibitions are mainly held), and items related to anthropology and archeology (on the second floor). You should know that entrance into the museum is free of charge.