La Mancha, Almagro, Ubeda

 La Mancha; Almegro; Ubeda

 

 

La Mancha is an area of Spain that many have heard of but perhaps few have visited. It is of course famous for being the home territory of Don Quixote. The local authorities have concocted, for the gullible tourist, somewhat implausible Quixote itineraries.

But the real interest, even on a two-day visit, lies elsewhere.

Spanish Renaissance Towns near Granada

A Little Tour round Spanish Renaissance Towns

Duende, according to the Spanish poet Garcia Lorca, is the mysterious, almost violent, force that animates the best of artistic performance, especially flamenco:

“Dark sounds….a mysterious force that everyone feels  and no philosopher has explained… the duende surges up, inside, from the soles of the feet.”