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.

The Cueva de los Murciélagos is an archaeological and geological reference. It houses remains from the Neolithic and Paleolithic, including cave paintings, flint tools and the oldest burial found in Andalusia, dating from 5240 B.C. Painted goats, human figures and fossilized remains were found. Its interior stands out for the limestone formations created by the water. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and Natural Monument, it remains a key place to learn about the prehistory of the region.

The Archaeological Museum of Zuheros offers a monographic exhibition with pieces found in the Cueva de los Murciélagos. It begins with tools from the Middle and Upper Paleolithic, highlighting the Neolithic for its ceramics decorated with almagra, ornaments, stone and bone utensils. It also includes objects from the Copper and Bronze Ages. It culminates with Roman remains, including a sculpture of a robed personage and a sarcophagus carved in stone.

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.

One of the most famous legends of Soria takes place in Vinuesa, where Pascuala Calonge, known as the Queen of Tardajos for her beauty, lived in a 19th century mansion. On January 4, 1845, she murdered in cold blood her husband, the rich farmer Valentín Lacarta, with the help of her lover and servant, José Díez Moreno. Both were executed by garrotte in 1846. The maid who covered up the crime was sentenced to prison. The event caused a great commotion and the execution was witnessed by a crowd as if it were a spectacle.

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.