| Our Did you know that there are currently an estimated 30,000 cave dwellings in Spain? It's cool living in a cave in both senses of the word. The nature of many of Spain's hillsides, bearing some of the oldest rock systems on the European continent, lend themselves to the formation of caves, wind and rain wearing deep holes that from the oldest times in history have been used as shelter. As long ago as 12,000 BC, the Palaeolithic Period, Stone Age hunters occupied them around Altamira, near Santander and left their mark with some of Europe's most sophisticated cave art. In fact evidence of human habitation in Spain goes back nearly 800,000 years with the discovery of Europe's oldest human remains.
More recently, in 1848 that is, D. Pascual Madoz compiled a Geographical Dictionary and in his publication he said of San Miguel de Salinas,' A village with a City Council within the province of Alicante, Judicial Party, administration of rents by the Diocese of Orihuela. Situated on a hill of the field of Orihuela to the west of the Salt Mines of Torrevieja.' He added that his Grandmother remembers it as 'The town of the wind'. He continued by saying that the town had 164 inhabitants, 22 cabins of cane and wood and 77 cuevas in the rock - cave dwellings, distributed in eight streets and two squares, with a city council building, two schools attended by 98 children and four windmills
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a photo from the collection of Joaquín Martínez Albaladejo
Barrio del Triunfo San Miguel de Salinas 1960 |
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Today San Miguel de Salinas' Barrio Troglodyte, or its Cave House Neighbourhood is still occupied and it is possible to wander around, mainly above the caves. As with most cave houses a frontage is built with a door and window, and other than a chimney or occasional vent it is underground. Of course the main problem with extending your property is how far do you excavate before you're in your neighbours sitting room.
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To get an idea of how extensive our caves are visit our Las Cuevas Restaurant, which was once two cave homes occupied by the Felicianas and Campanilleras Families. Have a drink or a fine meal in the private surroundings of your own cave. The layout of the rooms is amazing and you'll see the vents and water cistern. You can also visit La Cueva de la Tia Ramblera in Calle La Cenia, a cave showroom with Teak garden and dining furniture and accessories, and take a drink in their pleasant bar area. We believe that other caves are being developed in the future.
Cave dwellings are pretty well sought after if you fancy living in one. The last one we heard about went for £18,000 and there wasn't much accommodation. Our local history walking tour, planned for the autumn, will include the Barrio Troglodyte being the oldest part of the actual town.
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