Cuevas de la Villa

Beneath the historic centre of Requena, in the old Barrio de la Villa, there is an underground maze of around 22 caves carved out in the Andalusi period that hardly anyone imagines while walking the cobbled streets above. Going down into them shows how people lived in the town centuries ago, away from the light on the surface.

History

These galleries were dug into the rock during the Andalusi era and, over the centuries, served many different purposes. They were used as dwellings, but also as granaries, silos and wine cellars, making use of the cool, stable temperature underground. That cellar use ties in with Requena's oldest winemaking tradition, one of the defining features of the region.

What to see

The visit runs with an audio guide, which explains the purpose of each chamber and daily life for the people who lived there. You pass through corridors, old storerooms and storage spaces linked to one another, forming a network beneath the Barrio de la Villa.

Visiting tips

• Wear comfortable, non-slip footwear: the floor can be uneven.
• Even if it is warm above ground, it is cool underground, so a light jacket helps.
• Pair it with a walk through the historic centre of Requena to see it in context.