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 back to 1912 and currently houses two museums. The Juan Fernández Cruz Museum of Folk Customs and Arts features a collection of more than 4,000 pieces that will transport you to the customs and traditions of Zuheros. Spread across 28 exhibition spaces, this museum recreates the economic and social life of Zuheros and its region from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. In addition, various areas of the museum feature a series of collections, such as the collection of agricultural models and miniatures created by the founder, the collection of keys, locks, and bolts, and the tobacco collection. Hours and admission fees. The Zuheros Municipal Archaeological Museum was inaugurated on August 14, 1992. It displays archaeological remains from the cave excavations conducted between 1991 and 1992, as well as other finds from sites located within the municipality. The first display case is dedicated to the Middle Paleolithic, where visitors can see fairly rudimentary stone tools attributed to Homo neanderthalensis. Of particular note here are a spearpoint and a scraper. The second display case marks the beginning of the Neolithic period and is dedicated to almagra pottery, which is very well represented at the Cueva de los Murciélagos site. The following display cases feature pottery remains of the “incised pottery” and “impressed pottery” types. Both were made using sharp objects, or punches. The former involved making small superficial marks—“incisions”—in the wet clay, while the latter involved pressing the clay with various objects. Another display case contains Neolithic tools such as awls and tubes made from bone and flint blades. There are also some ornaments, such as bracelets made of marble and necklaces made from shells found along the coast of Málaga. The next display case contains bones from domesticated animals and representations of the grains they cultivated, such as escaña—a native crop of the Subbética region—as well as human skeletal remains. In the adjacent display case, you can see artifacts from the Chalcolithic or Copper Age and the Bronze Age. Here, there are some copper pottery shards and a bronze lampshade. The final display case features artifacts from the Roman period. Here are fragments of oil lamps, metal nails, rings, some dice made of bone, and coins that indicate the cave was occupied during the Late Roman Empire. We also find a Roman-era toga, a white limestone sarcophagus discovered in 1985 in the municipality of Zuheros, a capital from the castle-palace, and a door latch—the latter dating from the Muslim period. Admission fees and hours

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.