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the Degree Confluence Project
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Spain : Castilla-La Mancha

4.0 km (2.5 miles) SSW of Las Casas, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Approx. altitude: 620 m (2034 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 39°S 176°E

Accuracy: 5 m (16 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: North #3: East #4: South #5: West #6: GPS Reading

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  39°N 4°W (visit #1)  

#1: General view

(visited by Angel Hermosilla)

Español

08-Sep-2001 -- The area where the confluence point is located is known as Sancho Rey (King Saint would be the fairest translation).

It is only a few kilometers away from Ciudad Real City (please note the repetition Ciudad = City in Spanish). The proper translation of the name would be Royal City a title granted by the Kings (Isabel And Fernando, those who sent Columbus to find a shorter route to India and found America instead) after the support of the city in a war for the succesion to the throne.

After reaching the point, something drew my attention, the ground was littered with stones of a conspicuous dark hue. A person I found there, who happened to be the landowner, told me that they were of volcanic origin and pointed at two volcanos (obviously extinct by now). As it seems the area is packed with volcanic cones, more or less well preserved.

At this location, it also took place the battle of Alarcos in 1195 where christian forces were routed by muslims armies leaded by the Almohades, a sect coming from north Africa to Spain to unite and purify Islam (it seems I am talking modern history here). The whole area was a war area during the whole XIIth century, with the castillian kings and monk knights trying to push south the muslims and securing the plain.

As you see the area is packed with history because only a few kilometers away lies the important archaeological site of Nuestra Señora the Alarcos (Our Holy Lady of Alarcos) with remains ranging from late Iron Age (Iberians) to Low Middle Aged. Translation by David Florez

Spanish Version

Sancho Rey, así se conoce la zona donde está enclavado este punto de confluencia.

El punto se encuentra a muy pocos kilómetros de Ciudad Real capital.

Al llegar al punto me llamó la atención unas extrañas piedras de color oscuro que abundaban por toda la zona. La persona que encontré allí y que resultó ser el dueño del terreno donde está el punto me informó que eran piedras volcánicas y me señaló dos volcanes (evidente completamente apagados). Por lo que he visto, en toda la zona hay muchos restos de volcanes.

En este punto además se desarrolló en 1195 la batalla de Alarcos donde los cristianos sufrieron frente a los musulmanes una derrota muy importante.

A muy pocos Kilómetros se encuentra el santuario Nuestra Señora de Alarcos Parque Arqueológico con yacimientos ibero-medievales.


 All pictures
#1: General view
#2: North
#3: East
#4: South
#5: West
#6: GPS Reading
ALL: All pictures on one page