El Tolmo de Minateda

The Tolmo de Minateda dominates a natural passage to Carthago Nova, rising next to Arroyo de Tobarra, a permanent channel that tributes to the Mundo River. It is a natural fortress with access to the west, and a very extensive occupation for 2,500 years.

The Romanization and the full establishment of Roman culture have left many testimonies in Albacete, among them, the city of El Tolmo de Minateda was promoted at the time of Augustus according to the inscription dated 9 BC, in which the emperor Caesar Augustus is mentioned; from the quotes of Ptolemy it is surely the city of Ilunum.

The Paleo-Christian and Visigoth periods, although worse documented in terms of the number of findings, are attested to in El Tolmo de Minateda, where a defensive bastion has been documented, built hastily in front of the wall dating from the time of Augustus using architectural elements from previous periods; a basilica and two cemeteries, one north and the other western on the border with Cerro del Lagarto. The location of the Episcopal See of Elo has been hypothesized in this place.

Temporarily closed to the public, it will open its doors soon. For more information contact the Hellín tourist office on 967 541 520, here you have their location.