The enormous block of stone had been there more or less since the time of Isabella the Catholic, almost six centuries, until last week: someone has taken a medieval landmark from Martín Muñoz de la Dehesa (Segovia). The canton weighs about three tons, so the theft has required complex and painful planning for the neighbors, who consider this landmark to be one of its main historical elements due to its proximity to the town of Arévalo (Ávila)where Isabel I of Castile, Isabel the Catholic, spent her childhood. The Civil Guard is investigating a recently detected absence, although they do not know exactly when it may be taken away from them. Because it is a voluminous piece, it is believed that the thieves used heavy machinery, both to lift it and transport it.
History reveals that this enormous stone massif was placed at kilometer point 0.5 of the path that leads to Arévalo, just two kilometers from Martín Muñoz. The block was part of the medieval signs in the direction of Toledohence the name Canton of Toledo. The block has left a wide space between the road where the inhabitants used to see it on their walks, a large bald spot that saddens the locals, who had it as one of their historical references.
The mayor of Martín Muñoz de la Dehesa, David Dunas, states that “a month and a half ago the ‘canton of Toledo’, a heavy granite support, disappeared.” The councilor indicates that the absence was reported to the Civil Guard post and that so far they have not “made any progress” on who and how they were deprived of the centenary block, and insists that “to take it away they had to use some machinery or tractor due to the weight of the stone.” According to him, this happened several months ago.
The socialist spokesperson, David Gutiérrez, has reflected on what could have happened and what clues the Civil Guard is using to recover this medieval heritage: “We cannot know who took it, what we do know is that it had to be done with premeditation. It is a block that can weigh more than three tons. To remove and transport such a stone requires tools and heavy machinery that not everyone has.” The councilor estimates that the robbery occurred between Tuesday and Saturday of last week, days between which there is no longer much population or walkers on the streets of this Segovian municipality and it is easier for no one to notice the moment of the robbery. heist. The PSOE spokesperson has considered this rocky block as a fundamental sign of identity. “His value, respect and care have been passed down from generation to generation.” Likewise, he has called on citizens to give all possible clues so that the authorities can clarify the facts. For now, the only thing that remains of this medieval landmark is a large space without vegetation, with bare earth that had not seen the light of day since the childhood of Isabel la Católica.
