History
Archaeological investigations have shown that the area was inhabited in prehistoric times (Homo heidelbergensis and Homo antecessor). Bronze Age weapons have been found and also a Visigoth necropolis from the post-Roman period.
Later the region formed part of the depopulated nomansland between Christian (Northern) Spain and the Moorish Caliphate to the south.
With the Spanish victory at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa (1212) the region was reconquered. The authorities encouraged people from northern Spain to settle in the newly-conquered empty lands. Puertollano (then Puertoplano) was founded as a hamlet shortly after. In 1348 however, the Black Death devastated the village, killing all but 13 inhabitants.
Puertollano was granted the status of town (Villa) in the sixteenth century. It continued to grow slowly as a small town specializing in textiles and ceramics until, in 1873, the opening of the coal mines led to a sudden growth in the population. By 1920 the population had reached 20,000 and city (Ciudad) status was granted in 1925 by Alfonso XIII.
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