Village
Municipality of the comarca of Montes de Ciudad Real, in the province of Ciudad Real, born as a hamlet of the lordship of Malagón and with its own jurisdiction only from the eighteenth century, when Ferdinand VI sanctioned its independence; wedged between the Calderina range, which closes it to the north, and the Montes, it broke its isolation with the railway station opened on 15 December 1911. On the outskirts the Cerro Rubio windmill has been rebuilt, and in its district nineteen Franciscan friars from the convent of Consuegra were shot on 16 August 1936.
Monument
The church of Santa Quiteria, in Fuente el Fresno (Ciudad Real), is of medieval origin and has undergone various alterations throughout its history. It is mentioned in Pascual Madoz's Diccionario geográfico-estadístico-histórico de España. It was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (Spain's highest level of heritage protection), with the category of monument, on 8 October 1991, by a decree published that same month in the Diario Oficial de Castilla-La Mancha. Inside it preserves a Baroque altarpiece dated 1737.
Monument
The hermitage of Our Lady of the Faith, dating from the 20th century, stands on a hill near Fuente el Fresno (Montes de Ciudad Real), from which there is a wide view over the plain of La Mancha. It is the site of the Los Tomillos pilgrimage, in honour of Santa Lucía, on 12 and 13 December; the hermitage holds the image of the old Santa Lucía, which is brought down to the village only in the days before the pilgrimage.
Monument
Windmill rebuilt on its former ruins on the outskirts of Fuente el Fresno, with views over the plains of La Mancha and the foothills of the Montes de Toledo. It is reached by a track running alongside the municipal cemetery.
Nature
Neolithic megalithic tomb located in the municipal area of Fuente el Fresno, evidence of the prehistoric settlement of the district. According to the article on the municipality, it is the only dolmen found to date in the whole province of Ciudad Real, which makes it a singular site within the province's archaeological heritage.
Nature
A quartzite ridge that closes off the municipal district of Fuente el Fresno to the north and separates the comarca of Los Montes from the plain of La Mancha. The Cambrón stream also runs through the municipality.
Activity
The patronal festival of Santa Quiteria of Fuente el Fresno (Montes de Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real) is held from 20 to 24 May, with processions and celebrations lasting several days. On the eve, 19 May, the Flour festival (fiesta de la Harina) is held, and on the 20th the opening proclamation of the festival (pregón) takes place. The 21st and 22nd see the greatest participation, when the image of Santa Quiteria is carried in procession through the streets of the village, its entry into the parish church being the most moving moment of the festival.
Activity
Los Tomillos de Santa Lucía is celebrated in Fuente el Fresno (Montes de Ciudad Real) on 12 and 13 December. On the eve, the 12th, thyme bonfires are lit, beside which people fumigate their eyes with the smoke, in the belief that this preserves eyesight. The following day, 13 December, the Santa Lucía pilgrimage takes place up to the hermitage of Our Lady of the Faith, on a hill near the village. Each year two thyme-gatherers are chosen, responsible for collecting the thyme and preparing the large bonfires, beside which they offer attendees lemonade and pastries.
Historical milestone
Fuente el Fresno was born as a village of the seigneury of Malagón and did not obtain its own jurisdiction until the eighteenth century, when Fernando VI sanctioned its independence. In 1847 Madoz's dictionary counted 2,315 inhabitants.
Historical milestone
The station of Fuente el Fresno opened on 15 December 1911. The railway broke the isolation of a town wedged between the sierra de la Calderina and the Montes, and gave an outlet to its cereals, its oil and its livestock.
Historical milestone
On 16 August 1936 nineteen Franciscan friars from the convent of Consuegra were shot in the municipal district of Fuente el Fresno. The episode is one of the best documented of the religious persecution in the province.
Food and drink
Game stew — rabbit, hare or partridge — served over pieces of unleavened flatbread that serve at once as plate and as garnish. It is the great dish of the table of Fuente el Fresno and of the comarca, tied to the shepherds' gangs.