History of Villanueva de la Reina
The history of Villanueva de la Reina dates back to the Lower Paleolithic era, as testified by vestiges found on terraces of the Guadalquivir River. The settlement of La Crujía farmhouse is an archaeological site dating to the Neolithic era. Human presence during the Iberian era is also evidence by settlements and the discovery of abundant ancient Iberian ceramics.
Ancient Ipra, founded by the Romans, was of great importance. Numerous findings reveal to us the implantation in the area of Roman subdivision systems such as the village-type settlements located in Arroyo del Tesoro, Los Artesones, Milanos and Quintería. The most emblematic is the town of Santa Fuerzana, located on a terrace of the Guadalquivir River in which numerous Roman construction materials have been analysed. The presence of some hydraulic infrastructures have even been discerned, such as that located in the surroundings of the Madre Vieja farmhouse. The area of Villanueva de la Reina was located on the Via de Cástulo (Linares) and therefore formed part of the Vía Augusta.
In the “Vasos de Vicarello”, in which the route from Cádiz to Rome via Cástulo (Linares) appears, a stop at Ad Noulas, or Nobia or Ad Novias is mentioned, which due to its disposition between Castulo (Linares) and Ucia, or Sucia is thought to be a place located about 4 km from the current village of Villanueva de la Reina, known as Vega Baja although we believe it must have been north of the River Guadalquivir.
During the Muslim era, a small farmhouse formed, which after the conquest of this region was handed over by Alfonso X to the city of Andújar. During the fifteenth century it was the scene of the struggles of the supporters of Enrique IV, led by Constable Don Miguel Lucas de Iranzo, and the Levante nobility. In Villanueva, the Palominos de Andújar took refuge, and they were against the policy carried out by the Mayor, Pedro de Escavias, together with the arms of Constable Lucas de Iranzo.
In 1605, Bishop Don Sancho Dávila y Toledo blessed the new parish church, erected by the foundation of Doña Maria Jiménez de Lara, grandmother of the famous historian Ximena Jurado.
The old Villanueva de Andújar was segregated as a part of this city in 1790 and took the name of Villanueva del Rió until, following aid received by Queen Isabel II, it changed its name to Villanueva de la Reina.
During the War of Independence, the town served as a base for General Dupont’s French troops, who drove back the Reding troops stationed in Mengíbar, and from there the troops of Castaños departed for the Battle of Bailén.