Santa Cruz de Mudela, municipality of Spain
Santa Cruz de Mudela is a small town in the southeastern part of the Campo de Calatrava region in the province of Ciudad Real. Straight streets create a sense of order when walking through the settlement, while flat land stretches outward with hills to the south and southwest near the Sierra Morena mountains.
The area was known for viticulture in ancient times, but Muslim rule halted wine production in the region. After Christian reconquest, people settled near a well called Pozo Bueno, which became the nucleus of the town that developed around it.
The name may come from a cross seen as a sign of victory in a medieval battle, or from a cross that once stood on a local path. This symbol remains connected to the first roads and routes that led to the settlement and shaped how people experienced the place.
The town lies about 40 miles (65 kilometers) from Ciudad Real and is accessible by bus and train connections. Main roads are well maintained, and the small size makes exploring on foot safe and comfortable throughout the settlement.
The sanctuary of Our Lady of Virtues features a rare square-shaped bullring, one of only a few with this geometry in Spain. This entire complex sits about 4 miles (7 kilometers) south of town and remains protected as a historic monument.
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