Yecla is an authentic jewel for archaeology lovers. It has always been an area of transit. That was the reason why different civilisations left a little of their treasures in Yecla. It is well known that the preceding history helps us understand what we are today. Thus, we invite you to visit and know Yecla from its archaeological sites and routes and its Municipal Archaeological Museum “Cayetano de Mergelina.” All of them will tell you a story worthy of the best Hollywood script.
Sites
Yecla is known for its rich archaeological heritage. Only within our municipality, you can find four important archaeological sites which are continuously active. Monte Arabí, which would be representative of the legacy of prehistory; “Los Torrejones”, where you can see the remains of the process of Romanization; Hisn Yakka, a key settlement in order to understand the Islamic and Christian periods and the Rambla de Tobarrillas, a site which is characteristic for its wide range of discoveries from different historical periods.
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Routes
The archaeological routes will help you know in detail the elements of every archaeological site in Yecla. On the route to Monte Arabí you can visit Cantos de Visera, the “Mediodía” cave, el Arabilejo and its mysterious cup and ring marks (“cazoletas”), the Cueva del Tesoro, Casa Marta’s chapel, and the Caserío de los Ibáñez”. In the Roman road route, you will be able to find the route of the Roman road (the current Traviesa de Caudete), Los Torrejones and the Fuente del Pinar (wineries which are part of wine cellars from the Roman period). Finally, on the route to Rambla de Tobarrillas you will find several architectural features of great interest: a canalization grid, a workers’ house, the remains of an aqueduct, a set of man-made caves rehabilitated as a human habitat and an area of petroglyphs.
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Municipal Archaeological Museum
The Municipal Archaeological Museum “Cayetano de Mergelina” in Yecla is conceived as a complex dedicated to the dissemination of scientific knowledge, and to teaching. It is also a specialized documentation centre, with an exhibition designed in an attractive and pedagogical manner. The Museum takes the visitor on a fascinating tour starting around 150.000 years before Christ and finishing in the Middle Ages, at the end of the 15th century. It offers a magnificent view of the management of the same area throughout history.