Almansa's castle is the first thing you see and the last thing you forget. Rising from a near-vertical rock outcrop above the town, it's one of the most dramatically sited fortifications in Spain. The climb up is steep but short, and the views from the top extend in every direction across the Castilian plain.
The town below is pleasant — an old quarter with narrow streets, a handsome Plaza de Santa María, and enough bars and restaurants to celebrate arriving after the long, dry approach from La Font de la Figuera. Almansa has all basic services including accommodation, supermarkets, and a pharmacy.
The Battle of Almansa (April 25, 1707) was the decisive engagement of the War of Spanish Succession in Spain. The Bourbon forces of Felipe V defeated the Habsburg army here, and the aftermath was severe — Xàtiva and other towns that had supported the Habsburg cause were punished, and the ancient privileges of the Crown of Aragón were abolished. The castle has been fortified since Almohad times and was expanded under Christian rule.
