Cave 1: The Secret of the Earth
THE AREA OF GUADIX
A priviledged setting at the foot of Sierra Nevada.
The area of Guadix is located in the northeast of the province of Granada. It has an area of 1,691 km2 and is surrounded by several natural parks: to the north Sierra Mágina and Sierra Cazorla, Segura and las Villas; to the west, Sierra de Huétor Santillán; to the east, Sierra de Baza; and to the south, Sierra Nevada. This area also has an impressive desert-like landscape and one of the highest plateaus in Europe, Hoya de Guadix with 1101 m. At only one hour drive, you will also enjoy the city of Granada, the Alhambra and the Mediterranean beaches of the province.
Towns of the area
Guadix (called Acci in Roman times) is the head town of the area covering 26 villages, such as: Albuñán, Aldeire, Alquife, Beas de Guadix, Benalúa, Cogollos de Guadix, Cortes y Graena, Darro, Diezma, Dólar, Ferreira, Fonelas, Gor, Gorafe, Huélago, Huéneja, Jérez del Marquesado, La Calahorra, La Peza, Lanteira, Lugros, Marchal, Paulenca, Polícar, Purullena and Valle del Zalabí. The Valle del Zalabí is where Trópolis is based, has an area of 108.48 km2 and a population of 2300 people.
An experience for your senses
The location of Guadix and its area is the perfect place to enjoy the landscape of Sierra Nevada and its mountains covered with snow, their white colour in contrast with the ochre of the clay of the soil. You will also enjoy its flavours such as the artisan bread of the area and our wines. Visitors will also touch and work the clay when making our traditional pottery, and enjoy the sounds from the rivers, mountains and the desert of the area. This is a land of contrasts that will surprise the visitor with its traditions, history, culture and welcoming people.
THE LANDSCAPE OF GUADIX AND ITS AREA
Land of contrasts
This area combines mountains, a high plateau and valleys forming a landscape that has marked the way of life of its inhabitants. Guadix and its region has a continental climate, barely without autumn and spring, bringing cold winters with an average temperature of 5 degrees and dry and hot summers with an average temperature of 24 degrees.
The mountains of the area
Guadix and its area enjoy a special location next to the Sierra Nevada, the mountains you can find are: the Mulhacén with 3,481 m, the highest peak of the Sierra Nevada and of the Iberian Peninsula; the Picón de Jérez (3, 086 m), the Cerro de Trevélez (2,881 m), Cerro del Chullo (2,606 m) and the Cerro del Carcabal (1,950 m).
The second mountain area of importance in the area is the Sierra de Gor and Sierra de Charches, situated in the Sierra de Baza. Its highest peak is the Calar de Santa Bárbara with 2,269 m, followed by the Picón de Gor with 2,158 m.
We also have the Sierra Harana, its highest peak is Orduña with 1,943 m. located next to the village of Cogollos Vega, followed by the Cerro del Castillo with 1,499 m in the village of Diezma.
Although the landscape has changed over the years due to farming there are protected forest areas such as the Natural Park of Sierra Nevada, Sierra de Baza and Sierra de Huétor.
HISTORY AND CULTURE, A MELTING POINT
Each culture left a legacy
In the same way that its landscape, the history of the area has left a particular way of life for its people and a rich heritage. Different historic periods and civilisations have left their mark: starting from the Bronze and Iron ages, the Iberian people, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths and Arabs during the Omeya Caliphate of Córdoba.
All the villages and towns of the area are an example of this rich historical past: Cigüeñí and Zalabín, Alcudia, Exfiliana, Charches, La Rambla del Agua.
THE CAVE-HOUSES
Troglodytes of the 21st century.
These constructions are a natural occupation of the resources and materials of the area, used for thousands of years and that have established a particular way of life. The area has the largest number of cave-houses in use in the world.
Villages in the Hoya de Guadix have used the softness and at the same time the consistency of the clay to build the traditional cave-houses. The "picadores" are the builders that have the "know-how" and traditionally have built these unique places. First, they dig into the hill, the clay inside has to be left to dry and harden. After this, walls and ceilings are covered in a special oil to waterproof them and also covered by galvanised steel nets to protect the clay from cracking. Then a layer of 5 cm of mortar of white cement is applied, which will provide the right temperature stability (approx. 18 degrees) and the permeability of the inside of the cave. Finally, their facades are whitewashed.
These constructions are an example of the important cultural and historic values of the area and have attracted tourists and people from different places, resulting in an important economic boost for the area. At present, there are around 12,000 cave-houses in use in the province of Granada.