Almagro, Spain

Almagro is a small town in the heart of Don Quixote's homeland, but it boasts a long history. The central square of Almagro is a beautiful rectangular square with arcades, around which houses, monasteries and churches are clustered. In the 13th century, Almagro played host to the Knights of Calatrava, which was actually one of the military orders that participated in the Reconquista. Their headquarters were located in the amazing castle of Calatrava la Nueva.
Almagro is also known for the fact that it houses the oldest operating theater in Europe - the Corral de Comedias from the 16th century. A tour of the theater is a good idea, but it is much more interesting to see a performance during the annual classical drama festival in July. 
Today, vast vineyards have washed Almagro's lands of blood and replaced the battlefields of the past. These lands grow red peppers, tomatoes and aubergines, used to make the local specialty pisto manchego, made La Mancha style.