Since time immemorial, people have lived in caves, but now it is not so common. Although there are still a number of cave towns and villages in the world that you can visit. These cities are very mysterious, and ancient dwellings are rich in historical and cultural artifacts from several different civilizations.
9 amazingly beautiful cave towns and villages:
1
Trou, France
Trues, located in the department of Loire-et-Cher, one of the most charming villages in France. It is also considered the best preserved cave village in the country. Domesticated cave dwellings tell a story as rich as the castles of the region.
The village lies on three different levels: at the bottom are the oldest buildings dating from the Middle Ages; at the middle level are the dwellings of troglodytes; on the plateau overlooking the valley, is the Upper Town. It has magnificent terraces, walkways and many cave houses of the 11th and 12th centuries, built right on the slopes of a steep hill. Some of them are available for travelers.
2
Matera, Italy
Matera is one of the most impressive cave villages. It is located on top of a ridge with deep canyons on both sides, where people live and work in caves. People began to settle here at least 9 thousand years ago. They built their homes in the natural caves of the canyon walls and continued to expand them until thousands of dwellings appeared throughout the city.
While Matera has now become a popular tourist destination, it was once considered a source of shame as a place of poverty, high rates of child mortality and malaria.
Residents led their way of life in caves without electricity, sewage and water supply. After the situation became more known to the rest of the world, they were relocated, and cave houses were gradually abandoned in the 1950s and 60s, but only 20 years later they were no longer considered scandalous, but became an exciting reminder of the past.
In 1993, after the cave houses were renovated, Matera was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Currently, many caves have been converted into stylish eateries and hotels.
By the way, there is an interesting article on the most beautiful hotels in the world on our site most-beauty.ru.
3
Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain
Located near Andalucia, Spain’s impressive rocky city of Ronda, Setenil de las Bodegas, is a small village built under an overhanging massive cliff. Here, many residents literally live under a rock in cave-like structures that were built into the gorge.
Massive rock formations protrude over some of the streets, offering a welcome shade in the hot summer months.
Fruit stalls and street cafes, also located in caves, serve dishes made from local olives, almonds and chorizo. The village is part of the famous route through the white villages that dot the hills between Cadiz and Malaga, a two-hour drive from the bustling sights in Seville.
4
Kandovan, Iran
Few people know about this unusual ancient village in the province of East Azarbaijan, near the city of Tabriz in Iran. Kandovan was founded about 800 years ago. About 670 people live there. It was partially formed by volcanic remains from the powerful eruptions of Mon Sahand. Most-beauty editors advise staying at the recently built Laleh Kandovan International Rocky Hotel, inspired by the village itself.
To the delight of the guests, the picturesque interiors of the caves with luxurious living spaces. The region is famous not only for its picturesque beauty, but also for the healing power of its spring waters.
5
Myra, Turkey
The ancient Lycian city of the world is one of the many historical treasures of the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Myra was the leading city of the Lycian Union and surpassed Xanthus in early Byzantine times to become the capital of Lycia. Today, its main attractions are the Bolshoi Theater, in which up to 13,000 spectators once sat, and the necropolis.
The necropolis is a series of tombs carved into the rocks, decorated with reliefs and funerary images. The double vaulted corridors of the amphitheater are well preserved, and even the inscription: “the place of Merchant Gelasius” is the location of the ancient concession platform.
6
Bandiagara, Mali
The slope of Bandiagar consists of a landscape of rocks and sandy plateaus, as well as stunning architecture, which includes granaries, shrines, houses and common meeting places known as Togu Na. Built in the cliffs by the inhabitants of West Africa, the village is considered one of the most impressive places in the region.
Until now, people hold sacred rituals and honor traditions at this place. Bandiagar managed to stay away from visiting tourists until recently. It is becoming increasingly popular with guests. Perhaps soon the construction of a new highway, as well as the development of infrastructure, will begin here. The best way to learn it is to hire a local guide. Taking a hike to the top of the cliff, you will be rewarded with incredible views of the valley.
Please note that on our site most-beauty.ru there is material where TOP-10 of the most beautiful villages in the world is presented.
7
Custonaci Cave, Sicily
Hotel Grotta Mangiapane is located in a cave in Sicily. Located on the west coast, the ancient village remained untouched for almost seventy years after it was abandoned in the 1950s.
And today it functions as an open-air museum where visitors can return to the past and see Italian life at its peak, many years ago. Although the drawings inside the cave indicate that it may have been inhabited for millennia. The village in its present form was founded in the early 1800s by the Mangiapan family.
8
Matmata, Tunisia
Most Star Wars fans know Matmata as a fictional landscape and the home of Luke Skywalker. Many of the scenes from the first film were shot right here in the African country of Tunisia at the Sidi Driss. The traditional Berber house was built centuries ago and today offers to visit the traditional troglodyte numbers.
To avoid the sizzling hot climate and desert winds of the region, the local Berber residents built these incredible underground houses, some of which are dug into the ground 7 meters. Underground settlements actually remained hidden for centuries, and no one knew about their existence until the 1960s. This has become a popular tourist destination, and hotels such as Hotel Marhala offer adventurous travelers the opportunity to live as local people.
9
Goreme, Cappadocia
The Cappadocia region in Turkey is one of the most famous cave cities in the world. It was first built in the Roman era among the exquisite rock formations that dominate this area.
Solid natural rocks served as the foundation for all ancient architecture and churches carved directly into the rocks. Today, about 2,000 people live in the village. It could be inhabited as far back as 1800 BC. This beautiful city is what you really need to see in order to believe in a fairy tale.
In conclusion
On this our list of amazing cave towns and villages came to an end. The editors of most-beauty asks you to write in the comments which of these places impressed you the most. And if you know other cave cities that are not included in this list, write about them too.