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Montilla BRIEF HISTORICAL REVIEW
According to diverse historians Munda, Ullia o Bellia, Monte de Ullía, or Montulia are beautiful names that this Spanish town of the province of Cordoba was named after, in ancient times. It is not quite clear its origin and foundation, but in any case it is evident that Montilla has existed since many years before the coming of Jesus Christ to Earth. Its old land was ocuppied succesively by Phoenicians,Greeks and Romans. Montilla is located in the geographic heart of Andalusia, where Julio Cesar’s troops defeated the army of the Children of Pompeyo. There is substantial evidence of this battle.
In the year 400 A.D. it was ocuppied by “the Goths”, in the year 616 it was conquered by Arabs after bitter struggle . In 1240, it was conquered by “ Fernando III el Santo” and in 1630 King Felipe IV gave it its new privilege as a city due to its service and loyalty to him.
Some famous inhabitants of Montilla were:
Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba, known all over the world (universally) as the Great Captain, San Francisco Solano, the Apostle of Perú , Diego de Alvear y Ponce de León , valiant sailor, Antonio de Pablo Fernandez Solano, who was called the wise Andalusian by french scientists, Francisco Solano de Luque,grea doctor, precursor of modern heart medicine, Miguel de Barrios del Valle, whose works lie unknown in the world of poetry and many other who have given glory, prestige and fame to the town of Montilla.
The inhabitants of Montilla , according to an old manuscript of XIII century were always distinguished people in their origin and lineage. The town of Montilla is situated only 46 km from Cordoba, it has over 23000 inhabitants and nowadays is a modern city opened to visitors. You can get here by train on the ( Madrid – Algeciras)line or by taking N-331 A-Road from Cordoba to Malaga.