Villanueva de San Carlos – Trails, Nature and Architectural Heritage

A section of the Ruta del Quijote runs from Villanueva de San Carlos to Castillo de Calzada and back.

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Nature and Trails

The hiking options in Villanueva de San Carlos include the “La Cibeles–puente roto río” route. The “Ruta sierra Villanueva de San Carlos” route is also part of the municipality’s hiking options.

For mountain biking, one route runs through Argamasilla de Calatrava, Villanueva de San Carlos and Puertollano. For planning purposes, hiking trails and the mountain bike route can be considered as different types of activity; buildings, archaeological finds, festivals and cuisine form separate topics alongside them.

Access to the Microrreserva Túneles de Ojailén is via Villanueva de San Carlos. The interior of the Túneles de Ojailén must not be entered, particularly during the bats’ hibernation period. The landscape around the Túneles de Ojailén includes quartzite ridges, Mediterranean woodland and riverside vegetation along the Ojailén River.

History and Architectural Heritage

Villanueva de San Carlos was founded in 1773 by a Royal Charter issued by Charles III.

The Caserón de los Calatravos is a two-storey building with Toledan masonry, a pitched roof, wooden beam ceilings and several adjoining courtyards. During the summer months, it served as a summer residence for Franciscan friars.

The Iglesia parroquial de San Antonio is a single-nave 19th-century church made of volcanic stone and brick in Toledan masonry. It is intended for religious purposes and can be visited.

In La Alameda, a district belonging to Villanueva de San Carlos, stands the Iglesia parroquial de Ntra. Sra. de la Candelaria; it features Baroque decorative elements and a simple bell gable.

The Necrópolis de la Solana is a group of Bronze Age burials. The Fuente de los tres caños is a small spring with three outlets and a spring structure built of brick and rubble stone.

Festivals and Cuisine

The tradition of the Virgen de las Candelas in La Alameda includes collecting firewood in the village square and lighting a large bonfire there at night. The celebration in honour of Our Lady of the Candelas takes place on the first weekend of February closest to 2 February.

On 15 May, Villanueva de San Carlos celebrates the patron saint’s festival in honour of San Isidro Labrador. The festival in honour of Saint Anthony of Padua is celebrated from 8 to 10 June and jointly with the municipality’s two districts.

The traditional cuisine of Villanueva de San Carlos includes Caldereta de cordero, Asadillo, Migas, Gachas and Calandrajos.

Other Places

Other places in this selection: Membrilla, Almagro, Fontanarejo, Navalpino, Miguelturra, Llanos Del Caudillo, Albaladejo, Los Cortijos

For the broader travel overview: Ciudad Real.