![Villanueva de la Jara. One of the most beautiful towns in Cuenca](https://www.cuenqueando.com/statics/post508-1.jpg)
- publicado 17.05.2024
- por Cuenqueando
- puebloschampiñon
Villanueva de la Jara. One of the most beautiful towns in Cuenca
We want to discover with you one of the most beautiful towns in Cuenca that you cannot miss: Villanueva de la Jara. This beautiful town in La Mancha is located southeast of the province of Cuenca, famous because Santa Teresa de Jesús passed through here and for its mushroom crops.
Well, what are we going to find walking its streets?
Villanueva has a beautiful arcaded Plaza Mayor, a complex full of La Mancha essence. It still preserves Renaissance buildings such as the Town Hall and the Posada Massó, both declared Assets of Cultural Interest. The old inn is an icon, it still retains its original aesthetics of brick, lime and adobe, a typical structure of a traditional La Mancha house. Presumably, the Posada Massó was a meeting, rest and refreshment point while passing through Villanueva de la Jara. We are also going to find the old warehouse and several stately homes. And another must-see place in this Plaza is the Tourist Office where they will inform you in depth about all the treasures of Villanueva.
But if there is a building that impresses us, it is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, a beautiful architectural example that mixes the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. This church was built on the old castle of the Marquises of Villena back in the 15th century. The truth is that its enormous proportions give it a great monumental character. By the way, you cannot miss its spectacular baroque altarpiece by the sculptor Francisco Monitor.
Continuing our tour we arrive at the convent of Santa Ana, which after Santa Teresa de Jesús established a religious community, this convent was founded by Ana de San Agustín, who is buried here. We continue to the Carmelite convent, of which we have the beautiful Church of Carmen, where the Patroness of the town, the Virgin of the Snows, is venerated. Save the date from August 4 to 8 if you want to enjoy its festivities. .
And of course you can't miss trying its most typical and important gastronomic product: the mushroom. Villanueva was a pioneer in our country for being the first town to grow mushrooms professionally in the 1960s. Half a century later, mushrooms and their cultivation are a great tourist attraction.
I suppose that by now you have gotten the itch to visit Villanueva de la Jara and I am sure that it will surprise you. See you Cuenqueando!