Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Spain Setenil de las Bodegas Setenil De Las Bodegas

Setenil De Las Bodegas

A Spanish town built into the cliffs.

Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain

Added By
ser flac
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  kans1985/Flickr
An entire block covered by cliff   henryhasacamera/Flickr
Set back dramatically from the overhang above   maese/Flickr
Homes gradually moving up the rocky cliffs   cronopiazul/Flickr
Beautiful white homes   henryhasacamera/Flickr
Layers of homes in the town   El Pantera/Flickr
A stunning setting   auldhippo/Flickr
Shops and hotels in Setenil de Las Bodegas   gabinete/Flickr
Whitewashed homes built into the cliffs   henryhasacamera/Flickr
A massive boulder hangs between two sides of a block   ramonramon/Flickr
Setenil de las Bodegas   411shirley / Atlas Obscura User
  User submitted
  User submitted
  User submitted
A Roof of Rock   Spaniola / Atlas Obscura User
  Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
  Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
  Archimedes / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Setenil de Las Bodegas seamlessly marries man and nature.

Built directly into the rocky cliffs surrounding the town, its whitewashed houses melt into the rolling hills of AndalucĂ­a. It is only a town of 3,000 people, but Setenil de Las Bodegas has played an important role throughout Spanish history.

There is record of people living in the town since the Roman invasion 2000 years ago. Although inhabited, Setenil de Las Bodegas was not developed until the 12th century by the Moors, who used the cliffs as natural protection to fortify the city.

During the Christian Reconquest, the Moors held the city against repeated Spanish attacks. According to some translations, Setenil de Las Bodegas refers to seven attacks from the Spanish on the town. The Moors withstood six, and finally lost the cliff-side stronghold on the seventh.

Other translations hold that the name refers to the underground storage facilities used to hold the locally produced wine, which has become a major tourist draw to the quiet town. Whatever the translation, most travelers make their way to Setenil de Las Bodegas for the rocky setting. Boulders hang precariously between many of the winding streets, often creating natural roofs for the homes and stores.

Most amazingly, one large overhang covers an entire block of white houses, providing shade and natural cooling during warm summers in southern Spain. Even more remarkable are homes built on top of the overhang, giving the town layers of houses separated by natural rock formation. On a walk through the town, the cliffs and homes work together so naturally, it is difficult to see whether the town formed around the boulders, and vice versa.

Related Tags

Geological Oddities Eccentric Homes Cliffs Cliff Villages Geology Homes

Community Contributors

Added By

serflac

Edited By

SkareMedia, Allison, atimian, Spaniola...

  • SkareMedia
  • Allison
  • atimian
  • Spaniola
  • Archimedes
  • 411shirley
  • bn4vbjcmzz

Published

September 21, 2011

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/setenil-de-las-bodegas-living-under-a-rock.html
  • http://www.andalucia.com/province/cadiz/setenil/home.htm
Setenil De Las Bodegas
Setenil de las Bodegas, 11692
Spain
36.86406, -5.181413

Nearby Places

Olvera Castle - Castillo de Olvera

Olvera, Spain

miles away

El Castillo de Hierro (The Iron Castle of Pruna)

Pruna, Spain

miles away

Finca Descalzos Viejos

Ronda, Spain

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Spain

Spain

Europe

Places 748
Stories 37

Nearby Places

Olvera Castle - Castillo de Olvera

Olvera, Spain

miles away

El Castillo de Hierro (The Iron Castle of Pruna)

Pruna, Spain

miles away

Finca Descalzos Viejos

Ronda, Spain

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Spain

Spain

Europe

Places 748
Stories 37

Related Stories and Lists

Livin' On The Edge: The Precarious Architecture of 7 European Cliff Cities

architecture

By Eric Grundhauser

Why There Is a Hidden World of Underground Cities

cliff villages

By Chris White

Related Places

  • The aptly named Giant Rock.

    Landers, California

    Giant Rock

    A regular looking rock with an unbelievable history.

  • Jindo, South Korea

    Jindo-Modo Landbridge

    Landbridge created by the South Korean version of Moses.

  • Cuenca, Spain

    Hanging Houses of Cuenca

    Cliffside houses provide a spectacular view from their perch above the valley.

  • Manazan, Turkey

    City of Manazan

    Naturally protected city carved from a rock face.

  • Bandiagara, Mali

    Bandiagara Escarpment Cliff Dwellings

    These homes carved into the mountains seem to defy the laws of nature.

  • Troglodyte dwellings in Iran’s village of Kandovan.

    Kandovan, Iran

    Troglodyte Village of Kandovan

    Modern-day cave dwellers carve elaborate homes out of volcanic debris.

  • Castel Meur

    Plougrescant, France

    Castel Meur

    A small house sits between two huge rocks, with its back to the sea.

  • Asparuhovo, Bulgaria

    Chudnite Skali (Wonderful Rocks)

    These natural cliffs look like they are a part of an old castle complex.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.