Once known for its flourishing wineries (bodegas), Setenil de Las Bodegas is now a popular Spanish destination where tourists go to see what it is like to live under a rock.
Records of a human settlement in the region date back to the twelfth century, when Andalucia was under occupation by the Arabs, but archeological findings show that cave-dwelling societies inhabited the area more than 25,000 years ago. That explains the original look of this small village, where most of the houses are carved directly in stone. This gives Setenil de Las Bodegas a unique look among all the other beautiful white villages, known as “pueblos blancos”. While most of them were built on pinnacles and bluffs that insured protection, Setenil developed out of a network of caves above the river Trejo.
Setenil de Las Bodegas has a lot to offer to its guests, great wine, world-famous delicacies like chorizo and cerdo, plenty of landmarks worth visiting, and challenging hiking trails. But, despite all these other treats, most people come here to enjoy the municipal sights, especially the cave-houses built into rock. They are decorated like all the other homes in the village but they have a whole lot more charm, and they also keep a cool temperature inside, while conventional houses need air-conditioning.
The narrow streets of this small settlement are a nightmare for drivers, but a blessing for pedestrians who want to stroll through the streets and discover its beauty. Some of them are completely covered by cliffs offering an incredible view and shelter from the scorching sun. Setenil de Las Bodegas does offer some incredible sights, but I wonder if the people living in the cave-houses ever think about earthquakes, I know I would.
If the unique architecture of this white village of Roman origin doesn’t impress you, the Arab Fortress, the Gothic Church of Encarnacion or the Roman Ruins of Acinipo will surely make you glad you traveled to beautiful Andalucia.
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