Tomelloso combines a rich wine-growing history with a diverse cultural offering. From around 1820, more than 2,500 wine cellars were excavated beneath homes for the production and storage of wine. The city is also home to art and cultural history museums, the Parroquia de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora and the Posada de los Portales. The Ruta del Vino de la Mancha also passes through Tomelloso. These themes offer different ways to shape your stay: from wine to art, architectural history and urban green spaces.
Wine history in the city and a route through Tomelloso
The wine cellars excavated beneath homes from around 1820 were used to produce and store wine. There are more than 2,500 of them. Their date of origin and purpose together show just how closely the history of wine-growing is connected to the city. The Ruta del Vino de la Mancha also passes through Tomelloso, offering a different perspective: the cellars represent the historic production and storage of wine, while the named route passes through the city. If you choose wine as your main theme, you can distinguish between a historical aspect of the city and a route through it.
Two buildings, two historical perspectives
The Posada de los Portales was built in the second half of the 18th century and served as an inn for travellers and their horses until the 1970s. Today, it is a cultural centre used mainly for temporary exhibitions, conferences and other events. It therefore brings together two clearly distinct phases of use: its former role as an inn and its current cultural function.
The Parroquia de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora offers an older architectural perspective. It was built at the beginning of the 17th century and has a Latin cross floor plan. This describes the church's shape: a longitudinal nave is crossed by a transept. The church is notable above all for its architectural form, while the Posada is notable for the change in its use. Together, the two buildings offer different ways to explore Tomelloso's history.
Art, competition and rural life
The Museo Antonio López Torres displays a permanent exhibition of 65 oil paintings. The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Infanta Elena has a permanent exhibition of works from the Certamen Cultural Virgen de las Viñas, a competition that has been held since 2001. The two museums introduce different art themes: a collection of oil paintings and works from a named cultural competition.
The Museo del Carro y Aperos de Labranza focuses on something different. This ethnographic museum is devoted to agricultural work and the everyday rural life of earlier generations. A bombo in the museum was built from more than two million stones stacked without mortar. This construction detail adds a specific example of how a bombo is built to the museum's perspective on agricultural work.
Events on different dates
Tomelloso Sabor is a food fair that has been running for more than 20 years. It is currently held in October in the area around Plaza de España. Regional products are displayed, sampled and sold there. At the end of August, the Fiesta del Vino takes place as part of the city's Feria y Fiestas. Visitors can sample wines from various bodegas in Tomelloso, accompanied by food and live music.
The fair and the wine festival have different culinary focuses and take place at different times of the year. If you plan to time your visit to coincide with one of these events, check the specific dates and programme details in advance: the timing and programme may vary.
An urban green space
Parque de la Constitución complements the museum and wine themes with an urban green space. The 51,000-square-metre park is laid out in the French style and is notable for its impressive tree cover. The design of a large city park is another of the many facets you can take into account when planning your stay in Tomelloso.
Discover more destinations: Moral De Calatrava, Brazatortas, Puebla De Don Rodrigo, Calzada De Calatrava, Puebla del PrÃncipe, El Alcornocal, Daimiel, Valdepeñas.
For the broader travel overview: Ciudad Real.
