Roofless houses under large rocks in Spain

The town of Setenil de las Bodegas (Spain) is famous for its houses built under giant stone blocks. As a result, the room temperature is cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Setenil de las Bodegas is a town in the province of Cádiz with about 3,000 inhabitants. The town stands out for its white-walled houses. In which, many accommodation places, restaurants and hotels are built in the rock cave. This place gives visitors a feeling of peace every time they visit. Photo: Westend61. The name “Setenil de las Bodegas” reflects the rich history of this town. “Setenil” refers to the 7 times Catholic rulers wrested territory from the Moors – Arab inhabitants. Only in their 7th attempt to conquer did they get this place. Later, residents used cool areas under the rock to store local produce, the town’s name adding the word “Bodegas”, which means “warehouse” in Spanish. Photo: Quiros_marian. Sitting at El Mirador restaurant, you can admire the view of unique houses along the Rio Trejo river gorge. Instead of building structures on top of the cliffs, townspeople use the overhang of the rock as walls, roofs, or partial house developments. Photo: Pinterest. Choosing to live under a large rock for centuries helps to preserve the natural shape of the canyon, reducing interference with the environment. The construction of houses is cost-effective, no need to build a roof because it is covered by the rock. The cave is earthquake-resistant and does not burn. People here use light pipes and skylights to get sunlight. Photo: Traveler. To fully explore the small streets inside the town, visitors are best to walk. The houses are close together, there are not many trees, but this place is still cool all year round. Photo: Mochileando. Most of the space under the rock is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. You can find the right accommodation with unique architecture through intermediary booking channels. However, it is important to carefully read the room description as well as the incentives that guests are entitled to. Photo: Trivago. Some restaurants and eateries take advantage of the cool part under the overhanging rock as seating for diners, without building a roof. Setenil de las Bodegas has a Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers from June to August, and mild winters from December to February next year. Carnival (February-March) with street parades, dance and music attracts visitors. Photo: Civitatis. The buildings lined up like a chessboard in Barcelona After nearly 2 centuries, the unique planning of Barcelona (Spain) still surprises visitors. Seen from above, the city looks like a giant chessboard.