Yecla la Vieja Hill Fort, Iron Age hillfort in Yecla de Yeltes, Spain.
Yecla la Vieja is a hillfort positioned on a strategic ridge with defensive stone walls. The fortification includes the remains of dwellings and structures scattered across the hilltop, along with a late-Roman cemetery near the Santiago Apostol hermitage that contains stone burial chambers.
The Vetones built this settlement as a defended position during the Iron Age and maintained it as a population center for centuries. Later inhabitants during the Roman period continued to use and occupy the site, as shown by the cemetery remains.
The rock walls feature many carved figures of horses and other animals that show how ancient people here expressed themselves artistically. These engravings tell the story of those who lived at this place across different periods.
Visit starts at the Santiago Apostol hermitage at the base of the hill, which serves as the entry point to the archaeological site. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as the terrain is uneven and exposed to sun throughout most of the climb.
The southern entrance area holds a striking concentration of animal carvings in stone, with horse figures being the most prominent among them. This collection is unusually dense for a single location and shows the carving skills of people who lived here long ago.
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