Located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the course of the river Cañada, the history of Villarluengo has been marked by its strategic position. Its Montesanto convent was considered from the beginning of the war a key point to support the rebel operations. The inhabitants could do little about this and were involved in the conflict, suffering the negative consequences of the war.
The recovery of Villarluengo by the liberals took place at the beginning of April 1840. General Ayerbe placed the artillery on one of the nearby plateaus and thus protected the troop’s ascent through the ravine. When the bombardment began, the garrison of the fort fled. The general then gave the order to set fire to everything except the church.
© José Luis Cano
The convent of Montesanto was a Carlist support point from the first moments of the insurrection. By mid-December 1833 there is already news that 100 infantrymen and 20 rebel horses had spent the night in this religious monastery, which they considered safer than the town itself to spend the night.
Behind the Carlist parties were the government columns, commanded by officers such as Brigadier Nogueras, Lieutenant Andreu or General Palarea. The population’s fear of Carlist reprisals was such that, from that moment on, the government only received information from the area by means of verbal reports.
The meeting between Cabrera and Carnicer took place in Villarluengo when the former returned from his interview with Don Carlos (March 7, 1835). The territory, however, was still in dispute. Little by little the population will be involved in the area of Carlist control and the fort of Montesanto will operate as a fortified enclave of reference in the area.
During the Second Carlist War (1872-1876), Maestrazgo was once again the scene of fighting between liberals and legitimists. The insurrection made itself felt especially from 1873 onwards. After two long years of conflict, one of the last episodes of the last civil war of the 19th century on this front took place in Villarluengo.
The convent of Montesanto was a Carlist support point from the first moments of the insurrection. By mid-December 1833 there is already news that 100 infantrymen and 20 rebel horses had spent the night in this religious monastery, which they considered safer than the town itself to spend the night.
Behind the Carlist parties were the government columns, commanded by officers such as Brigadier Nogueras, Lieutenant Andreu or General Palarea. The population’s fear of Carlist reprisals was such that, from that moment on, the government only received information from the area by means of verbal reports.
The meeting between Cabrera and Carnicer took place in Villarluengo when the former returned from his interview with Don Carlos (March 7, 1835). The territory, however, was still in dispute. Little by little the population will be involved in the area of Carlist control and the fort of Montesanto will operate as a fortified enclave of reference in the area.
During the Second Carlist War (1872-1876), Maestrazgo was once again the scene of fighting between liberals and legitimists. The insurrection made itself felt especially from 1873 onwards. After two long years of conflict, one of the last episodes of the last civil war of the 19th century on this front took place in Villarluengo.
Comarca del Maestrazgo • C/ Las Tres Baylias • 44140 Cantavieja (Teruel)
Phone: 964 185 242 • [email protected]
