Accessible accommodation: cave-houses in Granada and Jaén
It was the human being's first dwelling place, at the dawn of time. Nowadays of cave-house tourism is very attractive as accessible accommodation. The "single-storey” concept is, in fact, a valuable ally.
Farm houses, estates, palaces… "typical" accommodation has experienced a boom in recent decades, thanks especially to the boom in rural getaways promising charming houses. The cave houses in Andalusia, apart from enjoying great tradition, especially in Granada and Jaén, bring to the 21st century the advantages of their location and natural air conditioning, as well as the concept of accommodation without architectural barriers. Here are just a few accessible and attractive examples.
Guadix and Baza (Granada)
The Hoya de Guadix and the High Plains of Baza and Huéscar, to the north of Granada, have been since antiquity a territory where the troglodyte habitat has undergone profound development. Those who lived the in the caverns left archaeological remains that tell us how they lived in those shelters where they were protected from the harsh climate and the hazards of nature which was still far from being domesticated. The cave-house, an affordable dwelling for modest people in the mid-20th century, was brought up to date and has currently been recycled for tourism, and it is amenable for guests with a certain degree of physical disability.
- La Tala Cave Houses (Guadix). They are located in a farm which is currently a tourist complex where an 18th century farmhouse is also available to rent. The cave houses have been refurbished, but still preserve their original atmosphere. They are available for couples, families or groups of friends, and include hydromassage bathtub and heating. The estate is accessible for people using wheelchairs or who suffer some physical disability. The location is also ideal for going out to discover the Historical Site of Guadix.
- Cave Houses Del Zenete (La Calahorra). Without leaving the district of Guadix we travel to a village, La Calahorra, which used to belong to the Marquesado del Zenete. These cave-houses offer travellers unique accommodation. This is no surprise, as for a start their warmth in winter and cool temperatures in summer already make them delightful accommodation. Spacious rooms, decorated with material from the land (wood, stone), accessible for the disabled and the feeling of having turned back in time. The rough whitewashed walls seem to wrap around you… such a pleasant refuge!
- Al Jatib Caves (Baza). This accommodation is named after the Muslim scholar from La Loja Ibn Al-Jatib, born in 1313, which became very influential in the court of Yusuf I, one of the Nasrid kings of Granada. Surrounded by three nature reserves (Sierra de Baza, Sierra de Castril and Sierra de Cazorla), there are six cave houses of different sizes, with access for those with reduced mobility (there is even a Hammam for guests to enjoy). This troglodyte village is the project for a couple, Isabel and Luc, who, after many years of work, were able to open this special tourist complex in 2001.
Sierra de Cazorla (Jaén)
Let's locate ourselves in Hinojares, a small village surrounded by cliffs, a territory largely belonging to the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Nature Reserve, designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO since 1983. Why there? Because it is in this municipality where you'll find the only cave-houses in Cazorla.
- Panadera Cave(Hinojares). Restored in 2006 and refurbished a decade later, this cave-house is accessible and in time has become an authentic little love nest for couples eager to be surprised. Or for visitors who wishing to relax in natural surroundings. It is on a single floor, typical for this kind of accommodation, and is approved for those with reduced mobility. It has all the features necessary to make your stay unique and original.
- Cave Houses Cazorla (Hinojares). Just imagine a landscape ranging between rivers and valleys, semi-desert, where you can experience the sensation of living in a cave for a few days. This accommodation is fully equipped and has no architectural barriers, so it is easy for those with a physical disability to be accommodated here. With true delights like the Ángela cave-house, from which you can observe the canyons of the Guadiana Menor River and the Sierra Nevada. Or the Del Mesto cave that remains faithful to its original structure, has a private pool and is large enough to accommodate a large group of people.
