El Ballestero

The origins of El Ballestero are traditionally linked to a meeting between King Alfonso X of Castile and his son-in-law, Jaime I of Aragón, during which they negotiated the ownership of recently conquered territories. According to local legend, the town was settled by crossbowmen (Spanish: ballesteros) who had become redundant following the cessation of hostilities. Over time, a settlement developed around a strategic crossroads.

Like many small towns in La Mancha, El Ballestero lost a significant share of its population in the mid-20th century. In the 1949 census, El Ballestero had 1,858 inhabitants, and the population shrank over the following decades. In 1964, the peak emigration year, over 500 inhabitants left El Ballestero. Many of these emigrants moved to large cities and the coast, where employment opportunities had increased in the growing tourist industry. In recent years, many abandoned homes in El Ballestero have been purchased by people from Madrid, Valencia, and other urban areas, who have refurbished them as second homes.

The town hosts an 18th-century church built in the Renaissance style, two bars serving food, a supermarket, a pharmacy, a bakery, a hairdresser, a public library, a bank, a school, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool which is open to the public in July and August.^[2] On weekends, a music bar opens its doors.^[3] There is also a small market held on Thursdays.^[4] Various guest houses (casas rurales) and a small hotel also exist.^[5]

El Ballestero's main industries include farming (such as wheat and barley) and raising livestock (mostly lamb). There is also an embutidos and ham factory.

El Ballestero uses green energy in the form of wind turbines.^[6]

The town is on the Ruta de Don Quijote,^{[citation needed]} and nearby attractions include Libisosa, the remains of a Roman town near Lezuza; Alcaraz, a medieval town; Las Lagunas de Ruidera; and the Sierra de Alcaraz, a home to wildlife. El Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Cortes is also nearby.^{[citation needed]}

In addition to the fictional hero Don Quixote, Hannibal, the Carthaginian general famous for having almost conquered Rome in the 3rd century BCE also passed close to the town^{[citation needed]} along a prehistoric track that crosses the Iberian Peninsula; this ancient road was rebuilt by the Romans,^{[citation needed]} and some 800 meters remain in good condition north of town. The Cañada Real de Los Serranos, which forms part of the medieval network of cattle tracks across Spain between Cordoba and Teruel^{[citation needed]} is slightly further north.

In summer, the temperature during the day is significantly hotter than in coastal towns such as Benidorm.^{[citation needed]} However, because of its elevation of 3,000 feet (1,045 meters) above sea level, the nights stay cool even in midsummer.

In autumn, the town is popular among those who hunt^{[citation needed]} the abundant hares, rabbits, and partridges.

In winter, the temperature can fall well below zero, and snow falls several times a year.^{[citation needed]}

The main local holidays are San Lorenzo (10 August) and San Miguel (29 September)^{[citation needed]}.