Carlos Javier Rubio presents a new edition of the book *Patios Singulares* on Villanueva de los Infantes as part of the 13th Patios Tour

On October 10th, the courtyard of the Casa de los Estudios in Villanueva de los Infantes hosted the presentation of the third edition of the book ‘Patios Singulares: La casa patio y el patio manchego en Villanueva de los Infantes’, by historian Carlos Javier Rubio. Published by the Plataforma Campo de Montiel-Origen del Quijote, with the collaboration of the City Council, this book provides a detailed study of the architecture of the courtyards in Villanueva de los Infantes, offering readers an extensive catalogue of the properties that fit this typology.

“The Route of the Patios is not just a matter of tourism, but also of heritage and conservation,” noted Carlos Javier Rubio in reference to this popular event centered on the courtyards of Villanueva de los Infantes, which attracts thousands of visitors every year and is celebrating its 13th edition until October 18th. The author thus highlighted the historical importance of the Manchego courtyard, which finds its greatest exponent in Villanueva de los Infantes, one of Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España.

“The courtyard is the most significant space in traditional Manchego architecture. A space that went beyond the domestic sphere and reached into public and religious buildings. Villanueva de los Infantes, which grew on the plains and without the constraints of walls, developed, like few others, houses with spacious courtyards where learned and popular knowledge blended,” explains Rubio in the publication.

This third edition provides an expanded and updated version of previous publications, culminating a project on which the author has been working for several years. The courtyards of the Casa de Rueda —reconstructed and restored in recent years—, the Casa de la Contaduría (popularly known as the Casa Cuartel de los Caballeros de Santiago), the Palacio de Melgarejo, the Casa de los Carrasco, and the Casa de don Juan de Orgaz (second Casa de Alberdi) are the new spaces incorporated into the catalogue. However, Rubio acknowledges that there are still other courtyards in Villanueva de los Infantes pending to be added in future editions.