 West of the town, the Calatayud highway runs up a slight gradient to a pancake-flat plain around the village of Concud, about three miles (5 km) away.A key position was the ridge to the west of the town known as "La Muela de Teruel"—Teruel's Tooth.Teruel's defensive position was much improved by previously prepared trenches and wire because of its position protruding into Republican territory.