The Sala La Ermitilla hosted a conference on 16 October as part of the XXIII Antonio Cano Cultural Week, organised by the Cultural Association Santiago Apóstol. The event, which attracted a good audience, featured Santiago González, an art history graduate from the Autonomous University of Madrid, who delivered a talk titled ‘Processes of territorialisation in the Castilian province of the Order of Santiago and Cervantine contextuality’.
The mayor of Quintanar de la Orden, D. Pablo Nieto Toldos, and several members of the Municipal Corporation attended the event, supporting the association's efforts in cultural and historical dissemination. During the presentation, Marciano Ortega, president of the Cultural Association Santiago Apóstol, praised González's academic and professional background, which includes specialisation in archaeology, art, and cultural heritage, with postgraduate studies from the University of Granada and University College London (UCL).
González shared his motivation for researching the historical relationships between territories associated with the Order of Santiago and other locations across the Iberian Peninsula. His presentation examined the evolution of administrative and territorial structures during the Middle Ages and the Modern Era, highlighting the Order of Santiago's role in shaping the historical landscape of La Mancha.
Using maps, documents, and images, González analysed historical routes, the relationships between various populations, and the territorial organisation of the order, as well as connections between Quintanar de la Orden and significant sites such as Uclés and Caravaca de la Cruz. He also explored the importance of military orders in the historical context of the time and their relationship with Cervantes's universe, emphasising the need to understand past social, political, and territorial structures to interpret Cervantes's work and its context accurately.
The conference proved to be both interesting and enriching, providing attendees with a historical perspective that deepens their understanding of the origins and evolution of the Manchego territory, as well as the connections that form part of Quintanar de la Orden's historical and cultural identity. This event marks the conclusion of the conference series for the XXIII Antonio Cano Cultural Week, with activities continuing on the following Sunday with the concert “Intimísimos” and on 8 November with the XL “La Encina” Awards and the XXXV “Juan Martín de Nicolás” Awards.
