Going Underground - Uncovering the Cave Dwellers of Guadix in Andalucia Spain

Going Underground - Uncovering the Cave Dwellers of Guadix in Andalucia Spain

The town of Guadix sits in the Province of Granada in southern Spain. Guadix is located around 50km to the east of Granada in south eastern Spain. It is a small town with approximately 25,000 inhabitants. For visitors to Andaluca wanting to experience something out of the ordinary, Guadix is well worth a visit as nearly half of it's residents live underground in traditional Spanish cave houses.

There is so much more to Guadix that meets the eye. Literally speaking. Most of Guadix is actually underground and is only partially revealed by the white chimneys which appear everywhere at ground level. The chimneys seem to bear silent witness to a seemingly endless underground World.

Guadix is one of the few remaining towns in Spain where people still live in caves. Surrounded by soft limestone rock, which has enabled easy excavation, people have built some real palaces underground. The houses are said to be ideal for the climatic conditions, staying cool in the long, hot summers and warm in the winters.

Brief history of Guadix

The name Guadix, came from the Moors who gave this old Roman camp the poetic name of Guadh-Haix, which translates as the "river of life". Guadix acted as staging post between eastern and western Andalucia. The mythical settlement of Acci (home to the accitanos tribe) is thought to have been very close to modern-day Guadix. As with so many villages and towns in this area, Guadix was at its peak during the Arab period, from which its fortress (alcazaba) survives. The majority of Guadix's buildings are from the 17C and 18C.

Barrio de las Cuevas the cave district

The cave district is situated in the highest part of Guadix amid a landscape of streams, gullies and small hills. The caves are built on different levels, so that those dwellings hollowed into the side of the hills often have their entrance on top of the roof of another cave. Solitary caves can occasionally be seen in an isolated location, occupying a single hillside.

Climate

Gaudix is situated a reasonable distance from the Costa del Sol coastline, and is also nearly 1000m above sea level. The distance from the coast and the altitude contribute to a cool winter climate, with temperatures several degrees below those on the coast. The summers are hot and dry with average maximum temperatures typically in thelow to mid 30s centigrade.

How toget there

Guadix falls on the route between Granada and Almeria. Following the A-92 motorway direction Guadix/Almeria/Murcia after 45kms you come to the Guadix exit (clearly signposted) exit 294. There are also daily, direct buses that run from Granada. Guadix is also serviced by a train station. There are four daily trains from Granada to Almeria

If you prefer to drive, there are plenty of companies offering car and car hire at Malaga Airport. In the summer months larger vehicles are scarcein Malaga, so it is best to book in advance.

Where to Stay

If you are planning a visit which combines both the Alhambra Palace in Granada and Guadix, there are plenty of suggestions for holiday rentals in Andalusiaon the Campaya website.

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