Villanueva de los Infantes, Ciudad Real, Historic municipality in Campo de Montiel, Spain
Villanueva de los Infantes is a town in the Province of Ciudad Real, situated at about 880 meters elevation in the Campo de Montiel region. The municipality covers roughly 135 square kilometers and features numerous buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries throughout its streets.
In 1573, King Felipe II designated the town as the capital of Campo de Montiel, making it a cultural center for the region. This royal appointment shaped its development and importance throughout the following centuries.
The town is home to the Church of San Andrés, which contains Los Bustos Chapel where the remains of writer Francisco de Quevedo rest. This connection to Spanish literature draws visitors interested in exploring the region's past through its most famous residents.
The town is easily reached when traveling through the flat landscape of the Mancha region, and its historical buildings serve as clear landmarks. Visitors should plan time to explore the church and various squares, ideally with local knowledge or a map to navigate comfortably.
Researchers from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid proposed that this location is the unnamed place referenced in the opening of Miguel de Cervantes's Don Quixote. This literary connection makes it an intriguing destination for readers of the classic novel.
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