10-22 Villena and another Castle

 I have a list of towns and cities to tour - most of which we will not get to until next year.  Villena was on the list and had a great looking castle - so off we headed.  

While we saw the two famous churches from the castle - we ran out of energy and time to explore them.  We will have to go back in 2025 to do that.

This castle, the Atalaya meaning watchtower, originated in the 12th century.  It was built by the Moors to keep the Christians at bay.  It was taken over by the Christians in the 13th century.

Views of the city and churches from the castle.

At this level you enter the keep and start climbing up the watch tower.  

The way is steep and narrow.  A lot of the stairways have been redone.  For which I am very thankful.

Prisoners were kept in  this tower.  They used pointed objects to scratch into the walls to create graffiti.  They were Moors who missed their homeland.

Modern graffiti - nothing to do with the Moors or Christians!

Christian kingdoms and the Almohad empire in the 12th century.

Other towns on my list to see are Sax, Castello.  We have been to Elche.

An interesting story.

Don Juan Manuel - also know as the writer prince, inherited the lordship of Villena when he was one years old.  

The steps up to the top were brutal.  But we made it.  the views were great - the climb down, not so much!

Michael showing how steep the steps were.  But thankfully they screwed these boards into the original steps.  They were very worn and would have been quite dangerous.

Back down again, we discussed walking into the old town, but luckily, smarts won out and we decided to go to the car and find a restaurant for food before heading home.  My thighs will let me know I overdid it big-time tomorrow.

Michael found a local bar cafe just on the outskirts of town.  He is getting so good at navigating the narrow streets!  And there was a parking spot nearby.  We ordered the Meal of the Day + Michael wanted Russian salad - he gets this everywhere we go.  Somehow we got two portions - I don't like it so guess who got to eat it all!

A shared composed salad.  Something that each of us liked.  Those are raisins and maybe dried currents on top, as well as olives, pickles, tomatoes corn, carrots, cucumbers and lettuce.

My baked macaroni - it had chicken and maybe some other kind of meat in it.

Michael's stewed beef - turned out to be a soup.  All were tasty.

The meal also came with a drink and a desert.  Mine was delicious - I actually got what I expected when I ordered chocolate cake - a chocolate torte!  graham cracker crust, rich chocolate filling and dripping with chocolate sause.

Michael got his favorite - rice pudding.

I took some photos with my phone on the ride back.  This photo does not do it justice as these mountains looked very jagged.  

This valley, including Villena - was a major trafficway and there were many castles on hills protecting the way.

I have forgotten which castle is which.  So you can guess if you wish.