The most peculiar villages in Spain
Our map the most beautiful villages focused on the beauty of each place. This time, we will go in search of the most peculiar villages in Spain. Some of them have odd geographical traits, others share a peculiar past, and others are simply aesthetically peculiar. The traveller who wishes to visit these places is usually aware that, once there, the astonishment will only increase. Every village on the list is special in its own way, either due to natural causes or as a consequence of the human imprint. This is our list of the most peculiar villages in Spain.
In order to reach Cueves, one has to cross this peculiar cave. | Shutterstock
In order to access Cueves, a village in Ribadesella, one must cross an actual cave. This fact alone is quite peculiar, but there is more: the cave is paved, and yet it has not lost its natural elements at all. In fact, there is still algae, moss and fern growing there, as well as the typical calcareous formations one can find in these natural settings. They simply built a road inside the cave, which was possible thanks to its large size, so that Cueves became easier to access.
The beauty awaiting us on the other side of La Cuevona, the gate leading to Cueves, is not easy to imagine. Resting in the mountains of Asturias, near the famous river called Sella, Cueves displays its traditional architecture, spectacular hiking routes and the feeling of coming from another dimension.
The village of Trasmoz in Zaragoza. | Shutterstock
Trasmoz is considered one of the most peculiar villages in Spain because it has a unique feature: it is the only village in Spain that has been excommunicated. Indeed, it was officially declared cursed by the Christian Church.
It seems like the dispute between this village in Zaragoza and the church ignited in 1255, and it was precisely that: a dispute between the abbot of the monastery of Veruela and the inhabitants of Trasmoz. The argument had to do with tax payment, and it ended up with Trasmoz being excommunicated. You can learn here the history of Trasmoz, Spain’s only excommunicated village.
One must cross the French border to get to Llívia. | Shutterstock
In order to reach Llívia, we will have to follow another peculiar path—just like it happens with Cueves. However, this time we will not have to cross a cave, but a border. In 1659, France and Spain reached an agreement to end the Thirty Years’ War: this way, Spain would hand over 33 villages of the east of Cerdeña to re-establish peace. Nonetheless, Llívia was left out of said exchange because Holy Roman Emperor Charles V of Spain had declared it a Villa more than a century before. Hence, it became a Spanish island surrounded by French territory.
Mogarraz is one of the most beautiful and peculiar villages in Spain. | Shutterstock
In the beautiful mountains of France, in the province of Salamanca, we will find a village called Mogarraz. It could belong to any list of beautiful villages, for its green surroundings and the lovely architecture garnishing its cobbled streets will certainly charm anyone who visits it.
Besides, this village has a tradition of honouring its past through art pieces. Its buildings display faces of people who inhabited Mogarraz in the 20th century, part of an artistic exhibition called Retrata2/388, which was intended to be temporary but ended up becoming permanent. It is one of the most peculiar villages in Spain because it makes one feel like being watched by dozens of eyes, and it is also a wonderful place to visit.
In Romangordo, sometimes it is difficult to discern reality from illusion. | Shutterstock
Romangordo has only 300 inhabitants, but watching its streets might make you think otherwise. This is the most eye-catching aspect of this village in Cáceres: its trompe-l’œil murals. Walking through the streets of Romangordo creates an interesting sense of confusion, the kind of bewilderment one feels at solving a riddle. And it is the most beautiful riddle, since the mural paintings covering the streets of the village are both colourful and striking. The first one was created in September 2015.
On another note, everyone in Romangordo is deeply aware of how people lived in the past in the village and its surroundings. What is more: the traditions, customs, and the history of Romangordo are now more visible than ever.
Júzcar, the Smurf Village. | Shutterstock
In 2011, Sony Pictures shot The Smurfs 3D in the small village of Júzcar, and its inhabitants could not have imagined what was about to happen. In order to stage the fictional world of the smurfs, every house and a good number of streets were dyed blue. The world-renowned animated characters left the village, but Júzcar stayed smurf blue. It could not be called the Smurf Village due to copyright restrictions, but “blue village” was obviously not as appealing. In any case, regardless of its name, Júzcar is one of the most peculiar villages in Spain because, well… it is literally blue.
We could not miss Porís de Candelara on this list. | Shutterstock
The Canary Islands provide countless astonishing landscapes, like the one Porís de Candelaria belongs to, right next to the ocean. We have started this list with a cave, so it just seems fair to finish it the same way. This village in La Palma was built under a cave that is more than 50 metres high, providing a spectacular view. Its houses face the Atlantic Ocean, sheltered by majestic cliffs. Porís de la Frontera seems like a dream, but one can very much visit it.
