Activity Development

For the implementation of this activity, a protocol appropriate to the age of the participants was established. A departure time is established based on the distance of the residence population. In the case of Ciudad Real, the departure was raised at 9:00, so that at approximately 10:30 hours you reach the Villa Isabelica complex. This is a restaurant within walking distance of Calatrava la Nueva Castle.

There, a person in charge of the archeology team of the Professional College of Education of Castilla-La Mancha made the reception. It will be who is responsible for conducting the guided tour of the castle and surroundings. The restaurant’s hospitality professionals also collaborate in this reception.

First, there is a brief exposition of the history and the main parts of the convent and the castle.

For this, a PowerPoint presentation by the participating archaeologists is used. The didactic guide that was developed for the students of schools and institutes that carry out the cultural visit is also presented. This guide is called “Let’s meet the Castle of Calatrava la Nueva”. It has been prepared by the team of archaeologists of the Professional College of Education of Castilla-La Mancha and edited by this institution. It includes some artistic and historical explanations of the Order of Calatrava and the fortress. Different versions have been made depending on the students to whom it is addressed, whether they are Secondary, Primary or Infant Education students. For the latter, it is simply composed of a booklet of very simple activities. For older students, some activities with a more visual character and others to perform in the centers are proposed.

Figure 2: Example activity of the Didactic Guide.

Because the number of participants must not be too high for the program to be carried out properly, a division of the participants into two groups is carried out. In this way, the enjoyment and better use of the activity of the participating children is facilitated. The two activities are exchanged once they are finished and the necessary transfers are carried out to continue the day.

Entering in a more specific way on the description of the activity, one of the groups begins the day in the restaurant with a view of the kitchens. There they show the different protocols that are carried out in the reception, conservation and preparation of food. Subsequently we proceed to prepare and cook a typical dish of the area, such as Migas Manchegas (depending on the season). The protocols in the use of cutlery, crockery or other utensils used in food are also shown. It ends with the realization of traditional games in the garden area of the complex by several monitors that the restaurant makes available for this activity.

The other group is transferred to the entrance of Calatrava la Nueva. From the viewpoint that is in the East, you can see the Castle of Salvatierra, made with volcanic stone and quartzite. It was a fortress built in the 10th century and later reconquered by Christians in 1226. The explanation about the Sacred Convent is made by the same group of archaeologists who have been working and researching for years. This visit will highlight the most important spaces of the fortress, detailing the most significant elements such as the cloister, the area of the cells, the different dependencies of the castle, the convent or the street of artisans. Its function is explained and how they were built. It is important to highlight how the day to day life of the people who lived in the castle and the convent was, seeing how life has changed from medieval times to the present, which is the reality known to students and in which it usually develops.

A fundamental aspect that must be taken into account is that the activity is intended for children, and in many cases, young. It is important that when the explanations are given to the students, they try to stimulate the senses, supported by images and visual and gestural reinforcements, doing it at all times in an attractive and motivating way. An activity that is very popular (mainly for children in Early Childhood Education) is dressing as characters of the time (nobles, clergy ...) explaining the importance of certain actions or behaviors. The different construction materials that have been traditionally used in the area will also be shown, analyzing their characteristics and differences. It is also important that children experience manipulating these materials.

Regardless of the obvious historical aspect, it was also tried that the students knew the wide and rich cultural heritage. This enclave is located in a typical Mediterranean climate landscape. The bus stops at one of the several terraces that are on the rise to observe the landscape that surrounds the Castle of Calatrava la Nueva. In addition to enjoying the landscape it is intended that students know how to recognize some elements of the fauna and mainly the flora of the area.

The development of activities in both groups was coordinated at all times, thus achieving not only maximum effectiveness. But the participation and use of all participating students. Once the activity was over, all the participants in the Villa Isabelica Complex met to proceed to regain strength and enjoy the deserved food. This moment is used to summarize the entire activity, knowing the opinion of the students and drawing conclusions for future actions. If you choose to link this visit with that of Almagro, it is done after the meal.

The total cost for the activity for primary school students was of 16 euros and 13.50 euros for children. It is intended that schools support the price of the bus. In many cases the displacement has been supported and paid for by the Diputación de Ciudad Real, as it annually proposes programs for cultural visits. In the case of the students of the Degrees of Infant and Primary Education, the cost of the displacement was totally supported by the Faculty of Education of Ciudad Real, within the subsidies provided for the realization of Cultural Activities. Teachers in any of the educational stages do not have to pay for activity or food.

Figure 3: Entrance of the church of the Sacred Convent of Calatrava la Nueva.