One clarification before I begin: when I say "MY town," it's because I truly mean it. Unfortunately, in this lovely town, as I imagine in others, they've embraced that term and seem to get excited when others use it, calling us "OUTSIDERS" or things like that. Luckily, life always puts everyone in their place. Most of those who boast about being from a town abandon it at the first opportunity without looking back, with a few honorable exceptions. That's why I'll continue to call it "MY town," and besides, I don't think many people give it more publicity than I do.
Monleón, for those who don't know it, is located in the Entresierras region, meaning that it is neither countryside nor mountains; part of the municipality is pastureland and another part begins to be mountainous, which helps to give it a special charm.
I remember a saying: “The Alagón becomes a river in Monleón.” And that's exactly what this tributary of the Tagus is like; until it reaches the outskirts of our town, it can only be considered a trickle. All the pools along the river, called caozos there, have their own names and stories: the Apple Tree Pool, the Pool of the Dead, and so on. I'm going to highlight the Treasure Pool, our private swimming pool for many years. Nowadays, when we're all so refined, people are surprised that we used to swim there without any precautions, without knowing the water's pH or anything like that. For us, what now seems like a puddle was a proper water park, with diving boards, slides, water jets, and medical treatments administered by our leeches, which, as everyone knows, are very good for circulation.
The most famous and attractive feature of Monleón is its keep, commonly known as "El Castillo" (The Castle), an impressive 15th-century fortress. It is privately owned and, unfortunately, cannot be visited inside. However, a visit is essential, as its exterior is captivating enough. We hope that in a few years the interior will be open to the public, with a fitting tribute to the current owner, as we must all acknowledge that without him, the castle would surely be in ruins.
You'll enjoy any stroll through the streets. Entering the village through the town gate is a lovely experience in itself, and one of the most photographed spots is right there, the first house on the right. It's a shame that for many years we haven't respected the traditional architecture, and we've built houses in our own style... my family home being the first.
To be continued...
basilio@aljomar.es
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