Setenil: Houses under, on or within the rock, castle and paths along the Río Trejo

Culture

The houses of Setenil lie under, on or within the rock. They create different street levels, for example in the streets Cuevas de la Sombra and Cuevas del Sol. The rock overhangs and the different levels are therefore directly incorporated into the town’s named streets.

The medieval castle of Setenil dates from the 14th or 15th century. Its surviving features include the keep and a cistern. As a cultural asset of special interest, Bien de Interés Cultural, it is classified in the Monument category.

The parish church Iglesia Parroquial Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación has a single-nave body and a pronounced transept. Its architectural features also include star-ribbed and tercelete vaults. The Ermita de San Sebastián was built between the 15th and 16th centuries.

The Antigua Casa Consistorial dates from the 16th century. It has a richly decorated Mudéjar coffered ceiling using the par y nudillo construction. The building is currently used as the tourist information office of Setenil de las Bodegas.

Paths

The 5-km Ruta de los Escarpes del Río Trejo leads from Setenil to Olvera. Its route runs along the banks of the Río Trejo and the CA-P-422 road. The route includes rock walls, caves and waterfalls. These formations were created by erosion and the scouring action of the river.

The Camino de la Aguilera connects Setenil with the Sierra Mollina and the former Camino de Osuna. This former connecting route led to Ronda and was once of particular importance. The route is classified as easy.

The Ruta de los Molinos follows the Vereda de Alcalá del Valle. It runs along the Arroyo de Alcalá and includes the Salto de la Molinilla.

Festivals

Setenil’s Semana Santa has been awarded the designation of a festival of national tourist interest in Andalusia, Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional de Andalucía.

The town’s gradient shapes Semana Santa in Setenil just as much as its narrow streets. Some streets are partly covered by the exposed rock or even roofed over by it.

The Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos takes place in October in Setenil de las Bodegas. It is staged as a historical reenactment.

More places to explore: Prado Del Rey, Barbate, Algodonales, Alcalá Del Valle, Medina Sidonia, Palmones, Alcalá De Los Gazules, Castellar De La Frontera

Cuisine

Typical dishes from Setenil include sopas Cortijeras, made with bread, olive oil, asparagus and a poached egg. At Cueva Alta, visitors can buy and taste local products from the Sierra.

For a stay in Setenil, a hotel can be included as accommodation in personal travel planning, without this being associated with any specific accommodation or offer; the specific choice remains open and is neither determined nor anticipated by this general reference.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cadiz.