Villanueva de la Fuente combines a long history of settlement with hiking and cycling routes through river, woodland and cultural landscapes. Archaeological collections, historic religious buildings and the spring landscape of the Río Villanueva offer different ways to plan a trip.

Archaeology, Collections and Architectural History

In Iberian and Roman times, the town was known as Mentesa Oretana. The earliest traces of settlement date back to the Bronze Age, around 1750 BC. Roman urban construction work associated with Mentesa Oretana is documented at the Callejón del Aire 7 archaeological site.

The Museo Arqueológico is housed in the former Encomienda, a 17th-century building with a dressed-stone façade. Its archaeological collection includes finds from various excavations in the municipality of Villanueva de la Fuente. The historic building thus brings together local architectural history and finds from different excavations.

The Museo Etnográfico offers another perspective on local history. Its exhibits include agricultural equipment, carriages and tools from traditional crafts, as well as household objects and looms. A forge and an oil mill are also part of the collection on display. By contrast, the archaeological museum focuses on finds from excavations.

Among the religious buildings is the historic chapel of the Santuario de la Virgen de los Desamparados. It dates from the final years of the 15th century; the Virgen de los Desamparados has been venerated there since 1650. The parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Paz is a 20th-century building that combines modern lines with a certain Manchester-style simplicity. The festivals of San Marcos, San Antón and the Virgen de los Desamparados are also part of local cultural life.

Near Villanueva de la Fuente, the Torre vigía de los Baños del Santo Cristo stands alongside the road towards Albaladejo. After the turnoff onto the road to the Ermita de la Virgen de los Desamparados, a signposted path leads left to the tower.

Hiking Trails, Cycling Routes and Springs

The hiking options include routes along livestock tracks and trails, beside rivers and across an extensive network of paths. Hiking trails towards the Sierra del Relumbrar pass through Mediterranean woodland rich in flora and fauna, including wild boar and deer. Named routes include “Ermita Nuestras Señora de los Desamparados a Cañada Baños de Cristo.”

The 31-kilometre “Vía Augusta” mountain biking route adds a cycling option. Another kind of route is the “Ruta de las Esculturas,” which passes through several streets in the town centre. Hiking trails in the countryside, a designated mountain biking route and the sculpture route differ in character and offer different points of reference when choosing activities.

The “Barranco Hernando-Vega del Río Villanueva” circular route follows the river to its source. Along the way, it passes local fruit and vegetable growing areas, riverside woodland and old hydraulic mills. The source area of the Río Villanueva consists of three springs: Pilar Grande, Pilarete and Pilar del Huerto.

The Santuario o Ermita de la Virgen de los Desamparados stands on the height of a limestone plateau known as a calar and offers views of the plain, irrigated landscapes and the Sierra de Alcaraz. The surrounding area is also connected with nature through its proximity to the Parque Natural de las Lagunas de Ruidera.

Discover more destinations: Terrinches, El Alcornocal, Torre De Juan Abad, Alcoba, Cinco Casas, Fuente El Fresno, El Robledo, Ruidera.

For the broader travel overview: Ciudad Real.