Setenil

Just in case any readers may have missed previous mentions, my sister Ange and sister-in-law Ginny are over for a longish weekend and it's lovely to see them.

It didn't take them long to get into the swing of things....here last night at Bar Juanito Gómez, one of our favourite tapas places in town.

Today we drove the short distance to Setenil, taking the opportunity to explore more of this ancient settlement, with buildings that date back to the 12th century and many of the original caves having been inhabited since prehistoric times.
Parking just outside of the village, we walked into the Plaza de Andalucia and took a stepped path down the Calle Herreria (Blacksmith's Street) passing by many of the "cave" houses that are a feature of the village.

We noticed some steps leading up to what looked like a park area, so we headed on up.

"Phew.......is this it !". It was a bit of a climb but the views over the village and beyond were worth the effort.

Within the Plaza at the top of the steps is the 18th century Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, the Patron Saint of the town, the key to which can be requested from the lady who lives next door (as we later read in the tourist leaflet).

We carried on down, eventually arriving at the street called the "Cuevas de Sol" (Caves of Sun). The opposite side of the street, across the river is called "Cuevas de Sombra" (Caves of Shade).
Much to the delight of the ladies, a market was on.

"Are you sure that's the right size ?".

Winding our way back up to the Plaza de Andalucia, we took a slight diversion to the very pretty Ermita de San Benito that contains the image of Jesus of Nazareth, carried around the village at the Easter processions by the Brotherhood known as Los Negros (The Black Ones). The origins of the Church are unknown but it owes its present condition to renovations carried out in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Looking down over the Plaza de Andalucia.
Ange, yours truly and Ginny.

This turret is the only remaining feature of the old Arabic fortress, dating to the 12th or 13th century, built to protect the Muslim inhabitants of the village. It was seized from Muslim control in 1484.















Just around the corner from the turret is the Plaza de la Villa containing the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, the building of which started at the end of the 15th century shortly after the conquest of Setenil by the Catholic King and Queen, Ferdinand and Isabel. Unfortunately it wasn't open.


Despite the coolness of the weather and overcast skies, it was a real treat to wander around the pretty streets, particularly the area in the old part of town.

Well worth a visit.