enigmatic and poetic was cervantes with the most famous phrase in the history of literature, the one with which he begins his Don Quijote of La Mancha Or simply, The Quijote. What would this “place in La Mancha, whose name I do not want to remember”, where lived “a nobleman of those with a lance in a shipyard, an old shield, a skinny hack and a greyhound for runner”? We can never know and it would probably just be an invention, but there is a manchega village which it claims to be, and is a perfect getaway not far from Madrid.
Appropriating being the people of Don Quixote is not an invention of the locality itself, but the result of a study conducted by a team of researchers from the Complutense University of Madrid in 2005, on the occasion of the IV centenary of the publication. Measuring the distances that the hidalgo traveled, considering the existing roads in the 16th century, they determined that said town should be in the field of montiel.
Once the initial map was drawn up, 27 possible villas were selected and, after crossing various variables, things were reduced to three finalists: Fuenallana, Alcubillas and Villanueva de los Infantes. And finally, after analyzing all the clues and references to the place contained in the novel, the experts agreed that only the latter met all the requirements.
Villanueva de los Infantes, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain
Municipality and town of the same name, Villanueva of the Infants It is located in the center of Campo de Montiel, in the southeast of Real cityand was the provincial epicenter of culture and art during the Golden Age. Declared Historical-Artistic Monument Since 1974, this town is also part of the association of the Most beautiful towns in Spainwith a very well-preserved urban structure that refers directly to that time by walking through its streets, as illustrious figures from our history did.
Although we do not know for sure if Cervantes was inspired by Infantes to locate the residence of Don Quixote, writers such as Lope de Vega or Francisco de Quevedo, who is also buried in this town. It is therefore an essential visit for lovers of literature, but also for those who enjoy discovering a town full of charm, witness of our historyfull of Renaissance and Baroque, civil and religious constructions.
With symmetrical streets that are pleasant to walk, Villanueva de los Infantes offers various routes to calmly pay attention to every detail of its facades, shields and monuments. Museums, squares, archaeological sites, local festivals and an environment that is also worth visiting, this town a couple of hours from the capital is a trip back in time where you can also taste the most traditional Manchegan gastronomy.
En route through Castilla-La Mancha 1: 22 Road Routes (Lonely Planet En route Guides)
Photos | Villanueva of the Infants
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