Ruta de los Molinos

A trip out this morning with friend Dan to walk one of the routes in the excellent "300 Walks in Cadiz" guide, a link to which can be found in the right hand column of our blog.

 We chose the "Ruta de los Molinos" (Route of the Mills) near to the pueblo of Setenil de las Bodegas primarily because on paper it looked reasonably flat and also the distance wasn't too great for a couple of old codgers. Here, looking down upon the old olive oil mill at the start of the walk. 

The Alcalá stream, a tributary of the Guadalporcum river, is a constant companion along the route. 

A cave house typical of this area.

 Wild figs....not quite ripe yet.

 

It was lovely just to stroll along with only the birdsong and the rhythm of the stream breaking the silence, even lovelier to come across fields of gorgeous poppies.

 We think this was one of the old cereal mills along the route, now being converted into a home.

 One of several waterfalls along the route.

 Several frogs were taking advantage of the warm weather on a sandbank in the middle of the stream. The walk had been as described on the website, flat, picturesque and very pleasant for a leisurely stroll. What at the start though had been a warm day was getting very much warmer as we returned to the car and headed into nearby Setenil for a cool drink. 

 Looking back at Setenil.

In search of the sun.......

.....though not much chance today as the dull and damp weather continues with a temperature of about 15°C.

This morning we drove to the nearby pueblo of Setenil de las Bodegas as we had been told by a friend that a market was being held there.

We walked the short distance to where the market is usually held but it appeared that the weather had disrupted it as there were only a few stalls set up.

So instead, we walked through the village to the Plaza de Andalucia for a coffee.

Probably one of the most photographed images in Setenil is this beautifully tiled house in the Plaza.

















Evidence of the recent heavy rainfall, muddy water rushing along the riverbed in the centre of the village.

The view on the way home of Torre Alháquime with Olvera visible in the distance.

Sunny Setenil

On another lovely sunny day, the temperature at about 30°C, we drove the twenty minutes or so to the nearby pueblo of Setenil, famous for its ancient cave houses.

We parked the car on a back road into the village and walked the short distance to the Plaza de Andalucia, intending to sit in one of the cafes and have coffee. However, we were a little early to sit outside with Calcetines so we went for a short stroll around this pretty village.

The entrance into the Plaza and below the view from above.

The 14th century Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación.

Being unable to sit outside at the cafe, we headed downwards to one of the many bars that nestle in and under the rock of the Calle de las Cuevas de la Sombra.

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.