Zuheros, a small town with a lot of history

Located at km 4 of the road that bears its name, the Cueva de los Murciélagos stands out for its archaeological and geological value. It was permanently inhabited around 6,000 BC, although even older remains have been found, dating back to 64,000 BC. Cave paintings with Hispanic goats and human figures, as well as pottery and flint tools, are preserved inside the cave. In 1938 fossilized human remains and their trousseau were found in a natural pool. Its spectacular geological formations, such as stalactites and columns, were formed by rainwater seepage. It has been declared a Natural Monument and an Asset of Cultural Interest.

This building dates from 1912 and currently houses two museums. In the Museum of Customs and Popular Arts of Juan Fernández Cruz, exhibits a collection of more than 4000 pieces that will transport you to the customs and traditions of Zuheros. In this museum is recreated along 28 museum spaces the economic and social way of life of Zuheros, and its region, from the late nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. In addition, in different areas of the museum are exhibited a number of collections, such as models and agricultural miniatures made by the founder, the keys, locks and bolts or cigars. Opening hours and prices. The Municipal Archaeological Museum of Zuheros was inaugurated on August 14, 1992. It displays archaeological remains from the excavations of the cave carried out during the years 1991-1992, as well as other remains from sites located in the municipality. The first display case is dedicated to the Middle Paleolithic where we can see quite rudimentary lithic tools attributable to the Neanderthal homo. Here we can see a spearhead and a raedera. The second one begins the Neolithic and is dedicated to the almagra pottery, very well represented in the site of the Cueva de los Murciélagos. The following showcases display ceramic remains of the "incised pottery" and "impressed pottery" types. Both were made with sharp objects, punches. The former by making small superficial marks "incisions" in the wet paste and the latter by pressing with different objects. Another display case contains Neolithic tools such as awls and tubes made with bone and flint blades. There are also some ornaments such as bracelets made of marble and necklaces made with shells from the coast of Malaga. In the next one there are some bones of animals that they had domesticated and some representation of the cereals that they cultivated, like the escaña, autochthonous crop of the subbetica, in addition to human bony remains. In the adjoining display, remains from the Chalcolithic or Copper Age and the Bronze Age can be seen. Here some remains of pottery made of copper and a tulip made of bronze can be seen. And in the last one it emphasizes material belonging to the Roman Age. Here we find fragments of skylights, metal nails, rings, bone dice and coins that indicate that the cave was occupied during the lower empire. On the other hand, we find a togado from the Roman period, a white limestone sarcophagus found in 1985 in the Zuheros area, a capital from the castle-palace and a quicialera, the latter belonging to the Muslim period. Rates and schedules

This natural park surrounds the town of Zuheros and has a route of just over a kilometer. Its main attraction is the suspension bridge, located behind the Castle-Palace, ideal for those looking for unique experiences. From the northern section there are magnificent views of the Cordovan countryside and Sierra Morena, while to the south the first reliefs of the Subbetica and much of the village of Zuheros can be seen. It is a perfect environment for family walks and landscape photography.

Zuheros Castle has its origins in the ninth century, when the Banu-Himsi, Muslims settled in the area, founded Sujayra. In Caliphate times, it was a small fortress with 30 houses, mosque and towers, forming part of the route between Cordoba and Granada. It was conquered in 1240 by Fernando III. At the end of the 15th century construction began on the Renaissance Palace, attributed to Hernán Ruiz III, although it was never completed. Today, the complex is in ruins.

From here you can appreciate the imposing work that for millions of years has been done by the water flowing through the Bailon River to divide this mountain in two.