Fuentes De Cesna: Archaeology, Castle Ruins and Landscape

The different historical highlights can help you decide whether to travel to Fuentes De Cesna: Villavieja is known for evidence from the Copper Age, Castillo de Cesna for its Nasrid frontier history, and Fuentes Viejas for traces of a settlement that was gradually abandoned. The landscape is also part of the picture: Fuentes Viejas overlooks the Iznájar Reservoir, while the route down to the ruins of Castillo de Cesna passes through olive groves.

Archaeological traces at Villavieja

The Villavieja archaeological site is located in Fuentes De Cesna, within the municipality of Algarinejo in the province of Granada. It is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) in the archaeological zone category and is considered a reference site for evidence of the Copper Age in European prehistory. Its official designation was confirmed in 2024. The prehistoric site contains three walls, up to three metres high.

Villavieja has a guided walking route with information boards. It is open to all visitor groups year-round, and it is also possible to get there by car. Check local conditions before your visit. This will help you understand the site's archaeological significance and its visible remains of walls as two distinct aspects of the visit.

Routes in Parque Cultural Cesna

Parque Cultural Cesna is one kilometre from the present-day centre of Fuentes De Cesna. It encompasses various features of natural, historical and ethnological interest. Fuentes De Cesna also has routes of scenic, historical-archaeological and ethnological interest through the former settlement, which has been enhanced as Parque Cultural Cesna. Several themes are therefore brought together: the landscape, the history of the place and its ethnological aspects. The one-kilometre distance refers to the location of Parque Cultural Cesna relative to the present-day centre.

Castillo de Cesna and its ruins

Castillo de Cesna was a defensive stronghold on the Nasrid frontier. The remains of three towers and sections of the wall survive. They have been protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural since June 1985. The directions are also useful for finding your way: the GR-5400 road connects Fuentes De Cesna with Zagra. From this road, a walking path of about two kilometres leads down through olive groves to the castle ruins. The approximate two-kilometre distance refers to this path to the ruins, not to the distance between the town centre and Parque Cultural Cesna. Check the path conditions before setting out.

Springs and settlement traces in Fuentes Viejas

Fuentes Viejas is built around three springs: Fuente de La Plaza, Fuente de Enmedio and Fuente del Caño. The village lies below a long, cavern-like cliff face and overlooks the Iznájar Reservoir. These features give it a different focus from the walls of Villavieja or the castle ruins of Castillo de Cesna: here, the description is shaped by springs, rocky scenery and the view.

The remains of houses also survive in Fuentes Viejas. They were gradually abandoned following collapses in 1942 and 1963. These dates give the settlement's history a specific timeframe, distinguishing it from the Copper Age at Villavieja and the Nasrid frontier history of Castillo de Cesna. This makes it possible to choose what to see in Fuentes De Cesna according to the historical themes that interest you most.

For the broader travel overview: Algarinejo.