Villanueva de los Infantes, Ciudad Real
Villanueva de los Infantes
Member of Los Pueblos más Bonitos de España
Francisco de Quevedo spent his last days in a convent cell in Villanueva de los Infantes, and a university team has named the town as the 'place in La Mancha' that opens Don Quixote. Capital of the Campo de Montiel since 1573, it gathers churches and palaces around a Plaza Mayor framed by 18th-century mansions. Wine and olives still underpin the local economy.
Highlights
- The cell in the Santo Domingo convent where Quevedo died
- Church of San Andrés, where Quevedo's remains were found in 2007
- Casa del Caballero del Verde Gabán, described by Cervantes in Don Quixote
- Mayo a las Damas on 30 April, songs sung outside young women's homes
- Wines from the town's vineyards, under the La Mancha designation
Summary based on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), written with AI assistance.
Population: 4,733
Things to see
Events through the year
- CarnivalPublic celebrations ending with the Entierro de la sardina
- Holy Week
- San MarcosEspantar al Diablo: country picnic and blessing of the crops
- Los MayosGroups of young men sing to their sweethearts outside their homes
- Feast of San IsidroPloughing and tractor contests, then a pilgrimage with decorated carts
- Las CrucesDecorated crosses visited at night, with toasted-grain puñao and punch
- Ferias y fiestas localesRides and outdoor bars in the Parque de la Constitución
- Verbena de Nuestra Señora de La AntiguaNight at the sanctuary before escorting the Virgin into town
- Fiestas patronalesNovenas and processions for the Virgen de la Antigua and Santo Tomás
- Pisto GiganteRecord-sized pisto cooked alongside an international folk festival
Dates follow the traditional patterns described on Wikipedia and Wikivoyage: check locally before you travel.
Based on Wikipedia (Villanueva de los Infantes (Ciudad Real) (IT), Villanueva de los Infantes (Ciudad Real) (ES)) (CC BY-SA).
Local food & wine
- Ensalá de limónDishThe most typical local dish: lemon, onion, oil, paprika and apple or orange
- AlfonsinosSweetSponge sandwiches with pastry cream and icing
- Manchego cheeseCheese
- La Mancha wineWineProtected-designation wine from local vineyards
- Campo de Montiel olive oilOlive oilOil under the Campo de Montiel designation of origin
- Pisto manchegoDish
Based on Wikipedia (Villanueva de los Infantes (Ciudad Real)) (CC BY-SA).
Where to sleep
3 places to stay within 3 km
- Hotels 1
- B&Bs and guest houses 1
- Campsites 1
Search for rooms:Booking.comAirbnbGoogle Maps
Data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Nearby member villages
- Segura de la Sierra · 58 km
- Almagro · 63 km
- Letur · 90 km
- Baños de la Encina · 91 km
- Alcalá del Júcar · 146 km