Diptico de la Comarca de Guadix

The troglodyte habitat
The legacy of the centuries
Si el hombre prehistórico buscó seguridad en
cavernas y abrigos naturales, los posteriores
pobladores iniciarían la excavación de cuevas
en esta tierra, constatándose en Guadix la
mayor concentración de Europa. Con los
musulmanes adquieren la consideración de
obra constructiva y las múltiples tipologías
en función de sus usos. Así los covarrones
medievales se erigirán como atalayas, refugios,
graneros en acantilados y viviendas permanentes. Esta arquitectura subterránea ha
sabido conservar sus rasgos característicos sin
renunciar a la comodidad y el confort presente
en las actuales casas cueva.
Los primeros asentamientos humanos
se remontan a la Prehistoria, constatándose en la comarca importantes
hallazgos paleontológicos así como
la mayor concentración de dólmenes
de la Península, que conforman el
Parque Megalítico de Gorafe. Junto
a los únicos vestigios europeos del
trogloditismo artificial medieval se
dan cita las construcciones de
herencia árabe, los templos de la
Ruta Mudéjar y la primera fortaleza
renacentista de
España: el CastilloPalacio de La
Calahorra.
The first human
settlements in Guadix
can be traced back
to Prehistoric times.
This has been confirmed by both the
important paleontological remains
found in the area and the Gorafe
Megalithic Park, which contains the
largest concentration of dolmens in the
Peninsula. In addition to the only vestiges
of medieval man-made cave dwellings
in Europe, the town also offers other
interesting features such as Arab
constructions, a variety of churches
which are included in the Mudejar
Route, and the first renaissance fortress
in Spain: the La Calahorra Castle-Palace.
Whereas in prehistoric times men sought refuge in natural caves and shelters,
in later periods, the peoples that settled in Guadix carved out the rock to
construct what was to become the largest concentration of cave dwellings in
Europe. During the Muslim period, cave dwellings started to be seen as a form
of construction which could be used for a variety of different purposes. Thus,
the medieval man-made
caves were used as
watchtowers, shelters,
granaries (which were dug
out of the face of cliffs), and
permanent dwellings.
Despite the fact that these
underground constructions
have retained much of their
original character, they offer
all the mod cons of any
modern housing.
Monumental Guadix
Dream-like landscapes
La Comarca de Guadix participa de cuatro valiosos espacios
protegidos como son el Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada
declarado también Reserva de la Biosfera y los parques
naturales de la Sierra de Baza, Sierra Nevada y la Sierra de
Huétor. Cuenta además con estampas espectaculares que
son fruto del contraste de altitudes, destacando el árido y
misterioso paisaje lunar, con los característicos bad-lands
que formarán parte del futuro Geoparque.
The area of Guadix has four protected areas of great natural value: the Sierra
Nevada National Park, declared a Biosphere Reserve, as well as the Sierra of Baza,
Sierra Nevada and Sierra of Huétor natural
parks. Guadix also offers spectacular
landscapes formed by contrasting altitudes
such as the highly unusual lunar-like badlands
which are due to be awarded European
Geopark status.
Declarada Conjunto Histórico, Guadix posee
un vasto patrimonio monumental conformado
por 14 iglesias, palacios, edificios civiles y la
Judería. En el interior de la antigua medina
se enclava el Barrio Latino que conduce a la
Catedral, fusión de los estilos
gótico, renacentista y
barroco. Al sur de la población se sitúan la Alcazaba
del s. XI y la Iglesia de
Santiago, Bien de Interés
Cultural y magnífico
ejemplo del Plateresco en
la ciudad.
Declared a Site of Historical
Interest, Guadix has a rich
heritage which includes 14
churches, palaces, secular
buildings and the Jewish
Quarter or Juderia. Inside the old medina is
the Barrio Latino (Latin Quarter) which leads
to the Cathedral, a construction which
combines the gothic, renaissance and
baroque styles. To the south of the town stand
the 11th century Alcazaba (Islamic Fortress),
and the Church of Santiago, a magnificent
example of plateresque style which has been
declared a Site of Cultural Interest.