I Wonder Why...?

To the south of Antequera is Torcal, a limestone mountain range where erosion has sculpted a formidable labyrinth of rocks with fantastic shapes such as the Tornillo, which looks just like an immense screw-threaded halfway into the planet. It was in the Jurassic Age, 150 million years ago, that these surprising rocks formed on the sea bed, as a result of the deposit and compacting of corals, mollusc shells and other shellfish of the era. Subsequently, time and geology worked together patiently, designing this landscape of narrow corridors. Its intersections opened to craters, basins and 'torcas' (clay-bottomed depressions), which give the place its name, and the boulders were shaped leading to tapering channels and the unique shapes of the Torcal which, rather than screws, look like hamburgers with many layers.

The repertoire of picturesque formations is completed with caves and chasms typical of a limestone enclave, with wild rose bushes, ivy, honeysuckle and 30 varieties of orchids. That is what the most beautiful and peculiar natural part of Andalusia is like.

The park centre recommends that visitors begin with the green route, a 1.5 km well-signposted pathway that covers the highest and most impressive area of the Torcal in under an hour. If you have the opportunity you must pay it a visit.

One of the most remarkable values of the El Torcal extensive fauna is the wide range of the birds that it supports, either in a sedentary way or simply as a transitive station in the migratory routes or as a nesting point. Thanks to this, the Natural Park was declared as a Special Zone for the Protection of Birds (ZEPA in Spanish).

But some of these bird species have become really rare due to man's irresponsible behaviour (poisons, the pillage of nests, uncontrolled sports activities, etc.), such victims have been the golden eagle, the peregrine falcon or the Bonelli’s eagle. The griffon vultures are also visible in the park and are usually over El Torcal, either passing between the Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes-Sierra Huma and the Sierras de Camarolos and el Jobo or when they come to eat cattle carcasses (authorized in some areas of the Paraje).

The reptiles present in the Natural Park depend to a large extent on the weather, so they are fully active in spring and summer, at which time they can be seen frequently. The most dominant species are; ocellated lizard, colilarga (long-tailed lizard) and Iberian lizard, stair snake, bastard snake and the snout viper, which does have a venomous bite.

El Torcal is a wonderful place to visit and if you enjoy nature it is really is a  must!

Before air conditioning became a household standard, people had to come up with ingenious methods to beat the heat, especially in countries with hot climates like Spain. Spain's rich history and geographical diversity have given rise to various traditional practices to stay cool during the scorching summer months. Here, we explore some of the age-old Spanish tricks that made the summers more bearable before the luxury of air conditioning.

White-Washed Walls

One of the most visually striking and practical traditional methods to keep buildings cool is the whitewashing of exterior walls. This practice was particularly prevalent in the Andalusian region. The white lime paint reflects the sun's rays, significantly reducing heat absorption by the buildings and keeping the interiors cooler. Towns like Ronda and the famous Pueblos Blancos are testament to this effective technique, showcasing picturesque villages that gleam under the sun while providing respite from the heat to their inhabitants.

Thick Walls and Small Windows

Traditional Spanish architecture features homes with thick walls made of adobe or stone and smaller windows than what modern design might dictate. These elements are crucial in insulating the house from the outside heat. The mass of the walls absorbs the heat during the day and releases it slowly during the cooler nights, maintaining a more constant temperature inside the homes. Smaller windows minimized the amount of direct sunlight entering the rooms, further helping to keep interiors cool.

Interior Patios and Courtyards

Many traditional Spanish houses feature an internal patio or courtyard, often with a fountain at its center. This design is not just for aesthetics; it serves a practical purpose in cooling. The courtyards offer shaded outdoor spaces protected from the direct sun, while the water from fountains adds humidity, helping cool the air through evaporation. Plants and trees in these spaces also contribute to a cooler microclimate, offering a pleasant refuge from the summer heat.

Cross Ventilation

Cross ventilation takes advantage of the natural breezes to cool homes. This strategy involves opening windows or doors on opposite sides of a house to allow air to flow through. In traditional Spanish homes, particularly those with inner courtyards, cross ventilation helps circulate air, pushing hot air out and letting cooler air in. This method is most effective during the evening and early morning hours when the outside air is cooler than the inside air.

Night-time Air Flow

Taking advantage of the cooler night air is another strategy employed in traditional Spanish homes. Residents would close their homes during the hot daytime hours to keep the heat out and open them up at night to allow the cool air to circulate through the interiors. Often, families would sleep on rooftops terraces or balconies to escape the day's accumulated heat within the home's walls.

Natural Fabric and Clothing

The traditional Spanish attire, such as the light and airy "flamenco" dresses or the loose, comfortable "camisa de manta," reflects an intrinsic understanding of how to stay cool. These clothes are usually made from natural fibers like cotton or linen, which are breathable and promote the evaporation of sweat, thus cooling the body more efficiently than synthetic fabrics.

Strategic Planting

The strategic planting of trees and vines around homes was another method used to create shade and protect buildings from direct sunlight exposure. Deciduous trees, which lose their leaves in the winter, were particularly valued as they provide shade during the summer while allowing sunlight to penetrate and warm the house during the colder months.

In the absence of modern cooling technologies, these traditional Spanish methods provided effective solutions to the problems posed by the summer heat. Today, with a growing interest in sustainable living practices, these time-tested strategies are gaining renewed attention. They remind us of the ingenuity of past generations and offer inspiration for ecologically responsible design in our quest to stay cool in the heat