Setenil de las Bodegas, The Village Inside a Boulder

Setenil de las Bodegas is located in Andalusia in the province of Cadiz, Spain. Its inabitants are few, with only 3,000 people living serenely within a huge rocky boulder, which lies just between roads and shops. Not only does daily life take place in this boulder, but locals have actually built their homes inside this rock.



From the outside, this type of living may seem dangerous, as if the rock slowly devoured the town, but it is not at all. Setenil de las Bodegas is like any other rocky city in the world - it developed in full harmony with Mother Nature. In fact, the inhabitants have built only the facades of their houses, leaving the rest as is with walls being the natural elements of the boulder.



Setenil de las Bodegas lives on two levels - the houses below the boulder were created within the rock cavities, while the above ones are completely exterior constructions. They are all painted in a glaring white color as a source of freshness. Both the color and the rock dwellings are so cool that during the summer, makes it the coolest place in all of Andalusia.

One of the first reasons why inhabitants decided to settle in this area was thanks to the wealth of the river Rio Trejo which, with its uninterrupted flow actually dug the walls of the present Setenil. Locals also decided to move here due to its climate - the permanent shade gave relief during hot summer months. And inhabitants also preferred the natural fortification the boulders gave them, protecting them from any potential external attack.

The name Setenil derives from the Latin term "Septem nihil", which translates to "seven times no". This refers to the siege of Christians who were forced to fight 7 times before stealing it from the moors. Setenil fell on September 21, 1484, to the seventh siege.



The city is also rich in historic buildings, churches and even hermits.

One of the most historic sites which travelers come from all around to see is the ancient fortress of the Nasrids, a 13th-century building with 40 towers, as well as the village church dedicated to Saint Sebastian, which according to legend was built in memory of the deceased child of Queen Isabella of Castile. Other attractions include the San Benito hermitage which rises within an old Moorish mosque. What’s more, just 3 miles from Setenil, travelers can find Acinipo, the ancient Spanish Roman legion and its archeological remains which date back to over 2000 years.

Setenil de las Bodegas is a place well worth seeing if not just for the effect of the huge rocks which seemingly crush the homes of the locals and which overwhelm everything in sight.

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