Infanto Windmill

Infanto is one of the oldest windmills in Campo de Criptana, a small town in the province of Ciudad Real, in the Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain. It stands on the Sierra de los Molinos ridge alongside two other historic mills, Burleta and Sardinero — together the three original 16th-century structures among the ten windmills that still crown the hillside today.

What will you see?

Infanto follows the classic tower-mill design typical of this part of La Mancha: a masonry, cylindrical body finished in whitewashed lime, topped by a conical roof that rotates to face the wind. Small windows near the top let the miller judge wind direction and reposition the sails accordingly — a detail that sets these mills apart from the more familiar Dutch-style windmills. Infanto, Burleta and Sardinero have all been declared Monuments of Historical and Artistic Interest, and the whole windmill ensemble is listed on the cultural heritage register of Castilla-La Mancha.

The mill remained in operation well into the 20th century — the last miller to run Infanto belonged to the Martínez Madrid family, and the wheel eventually fell silent as mechanical flour milling replaced wind-powered grinding across the region. Today the structure stands as a preserved witness to an era when windmills anchored the local grain economy.

Why is Campo de Criptana so well known?

The skyline of windmills lined up above the town is what turned Campo de Criptana into one of the emblematic stops on the Route of Don Quixote — local tradition holds that this very row of mills inspired Cervantes' famous scene of the knight charging at "giants." Whether or not these specific structures were the author's model, the silhouette of Infanto and its neighbors against the La Mancha sky remains one of the most photographed views in the region.

How do you get there?

Infanto sits on the hill directly above Campo de Criptana's historic center, in the district known as Barrio de Albaicín — a maze of whitewashed houses, some partly carved into the rock. The windmills are best reached on foot from the town center, a walk of about ten to fifteen minutes through narrow, picturesque streets. The nearest larger town is Alcázar de San Juan, connected by local road, and Campo de Criptana also lies on the rail line linking Madrid with Andalusia.

When should you visit?

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) offer the most comfortable temperatures, well below the intense summer heat typical of La Mancha. The exterior of the mills is accessible year-round, and the viewpoint by Infanto gives a wide panorama over the surrounding plains — early morning and sunset provide the best light for photos.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the Infanto windmill? Interior access is sometimes limited and depends on the opening hours set by the local tourist office, so it's worth checking on site or at Campo de Criptana's tourist information point.

Is there an entrance fee? Walking along the windmill ridge and viewing the mills from outside is free; any fee applies only to interiors that have been converted into small museum spaces.

How long does it take to see all the windmills? Walking the full ridge with its ten mills, including Infanto, Burleta and Sardinero, typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Is Infanto really connected to Don Quixote? There's no direct historical proof, but the windmills of Campo de Criptana are traditionally linked to Cervantes' inspiration and form part of the official Route of Don Quixote across Castilla-La Mancha.