Oretana Mind

Mentesa Oretana, in Villanueva de la Fuente, is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Campo de Montiel region. Its significance stems from the long period of continuous settlement, from the protohistoric and Iberian phases through the Roman, Visigothic, Islamic, and medieval Christian periods. The city was situated at a strategic point, near springs and connected to major ancient communication routes, especially the route linked to the Via Augusta and the Vicarello Cups, which connected the southern Iberian Peninsula with the Levant and the Mediterranean region. This position made Mentesa a key enclave for controlling the territory, the roads, and agricultural resources.

Excavations carried out at various points within the town center and its surroundings have revealed a complex city with structures from several superimposed periods. In the Los Toriles area, remains of a city wall, living spaces, paving, walls, cisterns, ceramics, and burial sites have been documented. At Callejón del Aire No. 7, vestiges of a large Roman building constructed with ashlar blocks were discovered, upon which medieval defensive structures were later developed. This accumulation of phases transforms a visit into an archaeological exploration of the passage of time: it is not a single monument, but rather an urban landscape fossilized beneath the current population.

The most accessible resource for visitors is the open-air archaeological site at 14 Mentesa Street, where visible structures and foundations from the Iberian, Roman, and medieval periods are preserved. The area is landscaped, fenced, and has interpretive displays, allowing visitors to view the site without directly accessing the remains. A visit is further enhanced by the Municipal Archaeological Museum, housed in the Casa de la Encomienda, which contextualizes the material history of Villanueva de la Fuente and provides a deeper understanding of the importance of Mentesa Oretana within the region.