The traditional habitation in and around the Altiplano de Granada, Andalucia, Spain is the cave house. It is thought that it was the Moors from North Africa who first started excavating these dwellings into the hillsides and cliff faces of this area. Some of these cave houses, dating back to the 12thC, can still be seen in villages such as Benamaurel. Some of the villages of this tranquil region still have a high proportion of their population living in caves.
Not only have cave houses been lived in continuously since Moorish times but they are still being constructed today using modern methods and materials.
Cave
A few years ago this almost forgotten area was discovered by foreign property buyers, mainly British. They found that there were modestly priced homes to be bought, some of which had been modernised to high standards by professional builders. They also found that there was an abundance of old fashioned and neglected properties which could be bought cheaply and converted into lovely, individualistic, 21stC, eco-friendly, character homes.
Cave houses are so well insulated that they remain at a constant 18-20 degrees Celsius throughout the year thus reducing fuel bills. Most village caves and many country caves have access to mains electricity. The owners of those caves that do not have mains power often install the latest generation of solar electricity and water heating equipment and/or windmills. There are grants available from the Andalucian authorities.
Cave homes lend themselves to innovative renovation. Many of the old style cave properties had underground rooms for keeping livestock, donkeys, mules, pigs, chickens, etc. Mangers were carved into walls, ventilation and animal feed shafts rose to the surface of the ground above. All the traditional features of cave houses are exploited by the 21stC troglodyte. Stables become extra bedrooms or bathrooms. Mangers become dressing-tables or bookshelves. Feed chutes become light wells illuminating the darker recesses of the modern cave persons' home. The freshly plastered rounded walls and ceilings are covered in light reflecting paint. Abandoned bread ovens are brought back into use as pizza ovens or become extra storage space. Traditional open fire places boast the latest types of eco-friendly solid fuel stoves. Stamped earth or cement floors are beautifully tiled.
Tastefully renovated cave dwellings gain in character rather than lose it. With the careful use of modern materials the professional or amateur cave developers is only limited by their imaginations and, of course, their budgets. The good news on the latter point is that those who are keeping a careful eye on their cash situation can be pleasantly surprised at just how much can be achieved quite economically.
21st Century Cave Houses in Andalucia, Spain Cave
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