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Alcaudete History:

We are based in the ancient town of Alcaudete, Jaén. A pueblo blanco built around the imposing early Middle Ages Castle, historically the stronghold of the Holy Military Order of Calatravas.

Similar to their more famous brothers, the Knights Templar, these monks were given special dispensation from saying prayers by the Pope to fight and repel the infidel.

Alcaudete, in fact, was for several centuries prior to 1246 (when it was conquered by the Calatravas Knights) in the Kalifato of the Moors (Arab Muslim Kingdom) that stretched at one time far north of modern day Madrid but in the Xlll century was driven back by the Christian rulers of Spain to an area that is basically modern day Andalucia, stretching from Cordoba, Granada and Jaén to the current Costa del Sol.

There has actually been a human presence in this area back to prehistoric times. Local caves have amazing drawings and other remains of food, tools and so no that give clues to their life style (we can arrange tours of the nearby Cueva de Murciélagos…amusingly in English ‘the Bat Cave’).

The Romans had a significant presence in the area from pre christian times. There are many things to see in the area including the Amphithreatre and lovingly excavated unique Roman Villa ‘El Ruedo ‘ in close by Almedinilla.