The Spanish town of Setenil de las Bodegas, originally named for its wineries, has a unique attraction that draws tourists from across the globe.
A glance at any tourist snapshot from Setenil de las Bodegas reveals an unusual feature – a massive rock overhanging the town’s main thoroughfare, ironically named Cuevas del Sol, or Sun Street.
Constructed beneath this rock, many buildings utilise it as their roof. With numerous homes now converted into holiday lets and hotels, visitors can experience life in this extraordinary setting.
Setenil de las Bodegas has been occupied since at least the 12th century, during the Almohad Caliphate era.
Given the nearby areas were inhabited 25,000 years ago, it’s plausible that Setenil de las Bodegas’s history extends even further back.
The modern town began to take shape in 1484 during the Christian Reconquest when Christian forces ousted the Moorish occupants, reports the Mirror.
Now housing merely 3,000 residents, Setenil is a small town. However, it has gained increasing popularity among tourists, offering plenty to do besides exploring the unique rock-incorporated architecture.
History enthusiasts should make a beeline for the ruins of Nazari Castle, a 12th-century Moorish stronghold believed to have once boasted 40 towers, and the Church of la Encarnacion, a Gothic-style place of worship.
The town and its surrounding areas are also home to a plethora of museums.
Although wine connoisseurs may lament the disappearance of many of the town’s once-thriving wineries, there remain several vineyards in the surrounding areas, including in the nearby hilltop city of Ronda.
Moreover, Setenil de las Bodegas itself still hosts a number of wine bars where visitors can sample local vintages.