Town hall and jail of La Fresneda

The town hall of La Fresneda, like other town halls in the comarca, was built towards the end of the 16th century, as indicated by the date of 1576 inscribed on its facade, although some sources suggest it may have been built around 1590. This building notably represents the emergence of the new municipal power that began to challenge the traditional institutions, embodied in this case by the Order of Calatrava, its castle and the Casa de la Encomienda.

Inside the town hall of La Fresneda, several prison spaces have been preserved that shed light on the history of incarceration in this place. First, there is a dungeon that was used to confine people of high social standing. This space is particularly notable for the magnificent graffiti found both on the floor and on the walls, which bear witness to the experience of those who were held there.

In addition, on the ground floor of the building, next to the "lonja" (porticoed hall), is what is known as the "arrest jail". This space is another testimony to the prison history of La Fresneda.

The architecture of the town hall of La Fresneda displays a combination of Gothic and Renaissance elements. It is characterised by three distinct facades, each adapted to a specific function. The main facade is the most noble, designed to host important events and receive visitors. The left side facade corresponds to the function of municipal government, while the right side facade, simpler in design, plays a fundamental role in the provision of services.

The historic ensemble of the town of La Fresneda was recognised as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC, Spanish heritage listing) in 1983, and this building, the town hall, also obtained the BIC distinction in 2002. This highlights its historical and architectural importance in the region as a symbol of the evolution of municipal power.