Guadix: La Ciudad Troglodita de Europa and Los Pies de Sierra Nevada

1. El Barrio de las Cuevas
2. La cave-museum del Centro de Interpretación de Guadix
3. El casco histórico de Guadix
4. La Plaza de la Constitución and tocinillo de cielo

Just 40 kilometers from Granada, on the altiplano at an altitude of 1,000 meters, Guadix is ​​a place that fascinates with its uniqueness and charm. This city is best known in Europe for its occupied troglodyte houses, which provide a unique view on the northern slope of the Sierra Nevada. The cave dwellings that form the heart of this community are a unique heritage that preserves the traditions and culture of previous generations, adapted to today's needs.

El Barrio de las Cuevas

El Barrio de las Cuevas is located in the center of Guadix, home to more than two thousand underground houses occupied by half of the local population. Estas viviendas-cueva se distinguen por poser puertas y chimneyneas inclinadas que destacan del soilo, sin ventanas que se puedan observar al aire. The reason is that most of the house is located on the ground, which is cool in summer and warm in winter, a natural benefit that provides unique climate comfort in any season of the year.

For visitors to Guadix, the first approach to this fascinating troglodyte universe can be the Mirador Padre Poveda, from where you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the cave dwellings rising between the red earth and the blue sky. From here you can observe a fascinating and almost surreal panorama, where white fireplaces and doors smoothly protrude, while the rest of the house is hidden underground.

La cave-museum del Centro de Interpretación de Guadix

To better understand the life of the inhabitants of these houses, there is nothing more relaxing than visiting the cave-museum of the Guadix Interpretation Center. This museum represents the cave of the old house abandoned by the Cruz-Ubeda family in 1980, which provides a verdadero recorrido histórico. Visitors can imagine life in these homes, listening to the echoes of laughter, footsteps, and familiar conversations as they explore spaces filled with period furnishings and furnishings.

The cave-museum also provides a perspective on the architectural invention of cave dwellings, excavated to take advantage of the rock structure and provide a home protected from the ravages of time. Tourists can appreciate the details of traditional decoration, living rooms, kitchens and other spaces that show how Guadix families lived together and prospered in these houses below the terrace.

El casco histórico de Guadix

Besides Barrio de las Cuevas, Guadix has a historic casco with valuable cultural and architectural heritage. The Alcazaba fortress, built in the 11th century, is an important place to visit. This magnificent building of Arab origin, with its walls and towers, is a reminder of the strategic importance that Guadix had in the past. From its high walls, you can appreciate panoramic views of the city and the Sierra Nevada mountain landscape.

Otro hito sobresaliente in Guadix is ​​the Cathedral, an impressive work of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles, whose construction began in the 16th century. This temple stands out for its magnificence and artistic features, especially in its facade and main altar. The cathedral's wealth of history makes it an essential visit for architecture and history buffs.

There are also magnificent palaces in Guadix that display the grandeur of ancient times. These buildings, with their decorated facades and interior gardens, represent the history of the powerful families of the region and the heavenly style of this Andalusian city.

La Plaza de la Constitución and tocinillo de cielo

To register in Guadix, it is perfect for the Constitution square. Surrounded by historic buildings, this square represents the heart of the city and a meeting place where you can appreciate the views and the local environment. In this place, it is practically a custom to taste the tocinillo de cielo, a dessert typical of the region and symbolizing the most prominent pastry of Andalusia. This dessert, made from egg yolks and sugar, is an authentic placeholder that provides the ideal complement to complete a trip to Guadix.