# Munigua

> cultural property in Villanueva del Río y Minas, Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q1148574](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1148574)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munigua)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/munigua

## Summary
Munigua is an ancient Roman city located near Villanueva del Río y Minas in Spain. It is designated as a "bien de interés cultural" (asset of cultural interest), a Spanish heritage protection status granted on April 6, 1931. The site, also known by its native label Mulva or Castillo de Mulva, includes remains from various historical periods, including the Roman Republic, High and Low Roman Empire, and evidence of La Tène culture.

## Key Facts
- **Location:** Munigua is located in Villanueva del Río y Minas, Spain, at coordinates 37.7132094022504 latitude, -5.74094783234069 longitude.
- **Heritage Designation:** It is designated as a "bien de interés cultural" (asset of cultural interest), with the official code RI-51-0000915, a status effective from April 6, 1931.
- **Historical Periods:** The site is an instance of a city associated with multiple historical eras, including the Roman Republic, High Roman Empire, Low Roman Empire, and La Tène culture, and also contains structures identified as a house and a grave from Ancient Rome.
- **Alternative Names:** Aliases for Munigua include Mulva (Villanueva del Río y Minas) and Castillo de Mulva, with "Mulva" being the native label.
- **External Identifiers:** It has numerous identifiers in cultural heritage and academic databases, including Pleiades ID 256318, Vici.org ID 15343, Trismegistos Geo ID 26254, Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire ID 25204, and Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID 7027137.
- **National Registry Codes:** Its IAPH (Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage) code is 01410990023, and its Guía Digital del Patrimonio Cultural de Andalucía ID is i6840.
- **Library Identifiers:** It has a VIAF ID of 173146679, an IdRef ID of 030646154, a Bibliothèque nationale de France ID of 12202107z, and a National Library of Spain ID of XX458544.
- **OpenStreetMap:** The site is mapped in OpenStreetMap with way ID 156255475.
- **Online Presence:** It has a Wikipedia title "Munigua" with sitelinks in four languages (commons, de, en, es) and a dedicated Commons category.

## FAQs
**What is the historical significance of Munigua?**
Munigua was a Roman city that was active during multiple phases of Roman rule, including the Republic and the Empire. The site also shows evidence of earlier occupation linked to the La Tène culture.

**What other names is Munigua known by?**
The site is also historically referred to as Mulva, which is considered its native label, and Castillo de Mulva. These aliases are used interchangeably in historical and archaeological literature.

**How is Munigua protected as a cultural heritage site?**
Munigua is officially protected under Spanish law as a "bien de interés cultural," a designation for assets of cultural interest. This protection has been in place since 1931, and the site is registered with the code RI-51-0000915.

**What types of structures have been found at Munigua?**
Archaeological evidence classifies Munigua not only as a city but also includes specific structures such as a house and a grave from the Ancient Roman period, indicating a settled community with residential and funerary areas.

## Why It Matters
Munigua matters as a well-preserved archaeological site that provides insight into the Romanization of the Iberian Peninsula and the layers of historical occupation in the region. Its designation as a protected cultural asset highlights its national importance to Spain's historical heritage. The variety of structural remains, from urban planning to domestic and funerary buildings, offers a comprehensive view of life in a Roman provincial city. Its extensive documentation across international databases makes it a significant node for academic research into the Roman world.

## Notable For
- Being a multi-period site with archaeological evidence spanning from the La Tène culture through the Roman Republic and into the High and Low Roman Empire.
- Holding the official Spanish cultural heritage protection status of "bien de interés cultural" since 1931.
- Having a well-documented presence across a wide array of international academic and heritage databases, facilitating scholarly access.

## Body

### Core Identity and Location
Munigua is an archaeological site identified as a Roman city. It is situated in the municipality of Villanueva del Río y Minas in Spain. Its precise geographical coordinates are 37.7132094022504 latitude and -5.74094783234069 longitude.

### Heritage Status and Protection
The site is legally protected as a "bien de interés cultural" (asset of cultural interest). This designation was formally assigned on April 6, 1931. Its official asset code within the Spanish heritage registry is RI-51-0000915. Regionally, it is registered with the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH) under code 01410990023 and is listed in the Guía Digital del Patrimonio Cultural de Andalucía with the identifier i6840.

### Historical Chronology
Archaeological evidence classifies Munigua as a city that existed during several distinct historical periods:
- La Tène culture
- Roman Republic
- High Roman Empire
- Low Roman Empire
Additionally, specific finds at the site are classified as a house and a grave from the period of Ancient Rome.

### Alternative Names and Labels
The entity is known by several alternative names or aliases:
- Mulva (Villanueva del Río y Minas)
- Castillo de Mulva
The name "Mulva" is specifically noted as the native label for the site.

### Database and Academic Identifiers
Munigua is extensively cataloged in numerous national and international databases, which is crucial for academic research:
- **International Archaeological Databases:** Pleiades ID 256318; Vici.org ID 15343; Trismegistos Geo ID 26254; Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire ID 25204.
- **Library Authority Files:** VIAF ID 173146679; IdRef ID 030646154; Bibliothèque nationale de France ID 12202107z; National Library of Spain ID XX458544.
- **Geographic and Cultural Databases:** Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID 7027137; Google Knowledge Graph ID /g/121_5mdr; ToposText Place ID 377000UMun.
- **Other Registries:** It is also listed by the Asociación Española de Amigos de los Castillos with the ID "munigua".

### Online and Digital Presence
The site has a presence on several collaborative digital platforms:
- It has a Wikipedia article titled "Munigua" with sitelinks available in four language versions: Commons, German, English, and Spanish.
- A dedicated category for media files exists on Wikimedia Commons under "Munigua".
- The site is mapped in OpenStreetMap with the way ID 156255475.

## References

1. [Wiki Loves Monuments monuments database. 2017](https://tools.wmflabs.org/heritage/api/api.php?action=search&format=json&srcountry=es&srlang=es&srid=RI-51-0000915)
2. Digital Guide to the Cultural Heritage of Andalusia
3. [Source](https://www.eldiario.es/andalucia/sevilla/curioso-caso-munigua-minuscula-urbe-betica-templo-gigante_1_9174151.html)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. IdRef
6. datos.bne.es
7. [Source](https://vici.org/vici/15343)