Logbook · 7 places

What to see and do in Balazote

What to see and do in Balazote (Sierra de Alcaraz y Campo de Montiel, Albacete): 7 places across monuments, nature, activities and curiosities, with a photo and a Google Maps location.

1 Villages · 2 Monuments · 1 Nature · 2 Activities · 1 Curiosities

When to go to Balazote: festival calendar

February: The flag run of Balazote (Febrero, fiestas de San Blas)
August: Pilgrimage of Santa Mónica (late August)

Towns near Balazote

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Spain › Castilla-La Mancha › Albacete › Sierra de Alcaraz y Campo de Montiel › Balazote

What to see and do in Balazote

Balazote
Village
Balazote is a municipality in the comarca of Sierra de Alcaraz y Campo de Montiel, in the province of Albacete, with 2,356 inhabitants (INE 2025). Its origins go back to the Iberian-Roman period: from here comes the Bicha de Balazote, an Iberian sculpture with the body of a bull and a bearded human face, from the 6th century BC, held since 1910 in the Museo Arqueológico Nacional among the most important Iberian figures alongside the Dama de Elche; next to the Vía Heráclea Roman mosaics have also been found. After the reconquest of Alcaraz by Alfonso VIII in 1213, it was a hamlet of that town until, in 1310, Ferdinand IV granted it to the Order of Santiago, and in the 15th century it was a señorío of Rodrigo Manrique. Its most attended pilgrimage climbs to the hermitage of Santa Mónica, and on San Blas the corrida de la bandera (flag run) is held.
The Bicha of Balazote
Curiosity
A 6th-century BC Iberian sculpture with the body of a bull and a bearded human face, one of the key pieces of Iberian art alongside the Lady of Elche. It has been held at the National Archaeological Museum since 1910 and a replica is displayed at the Museum of Albacete.
Roman mosaics of Balazote
Monument
Several mosaics found in the municipal district, dating from the time when Balazote stood beside the Via Heraclea.
Hermitage of Santa Mónica de Balazote
Monument
Hermitage of Santa Mónica, built on the hill of the same name in Balazote (Albacete), the destination of the municipality's most popular pilgrimage. It is held in late August in honour of the patroness, with a procession to the hermitage, mass and the traditional distribution of small loaves blessed by the saint.
San Cristóbal hill of Balazote
Nature
An elevation of 873 metres located to the west of the municipal area of Balazote, the highest point compared with the 730 metres recorded near the Don Juan river, in a landscape through which it flows on its way to the Lobera canal.
The flag run of Balazote
Activity
A tradition of the San Blas festivities, held in February, which consists of climbing onto a stage to demonstrate strength and skill in handling the flag before the townspeople. The event takes place accompanied by the Balazote Municipal Music Band, which provides music for the display during the festival days.
Pilgrimage of Santa Mónica
Activity
The pilgrimage of Santa Mónica is celebrated in late August in Balazote (Sierra de Alcaraz and Campo de Montiel, Albacete), in honour of the town's patroness. It consists of climbing to the hermitage located on the hill that bears her name, where mass is celebrated along with the traditional distribution of small loaves blessed by the saint.