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Guadix is one of the oldest human settlements in Spain. Before the arrival of the Romans, in the Phonoecian and Carthaginian periods it was known as Acci, which may mean "Land of vineyards", which abound in the wide Guadix valley. Later the Roman colony of Julia Gemela Acci was established, for retired legionaries. The economic depression which followed the collapse of the Roman Empire led to the chaotic spread of settlement along the river causing Acci to be replaced by the modern name Guadix.
Traditionally, the town has been an important religious centre. Ancient Iberians worshipped god Neton. San Torcuato and the Siete Varones Apostolicos preached the Christian faith. This is the origin of the town's Bishopric and it's tradition of having the oldest diocese in Spain, as well as being the first place in the country to convert en masse to Christianity.
Islamisation followed the Arrival of the Moors and is the origin of the modern name. Wadi. As the most striking feature of Moorish rule was the relative autonomy of local "Arraeces". (Warlords) from the Nasrid Kings of Granada.
In December 1489 the city fell to the Catholic Kings, who restored its Bishopric. Religious and civil administrations were pined together and Guadix became the centre of one of the biggest and most important, state-church administered districts of the kingdom of Castilla.
The French invasion reached the city in 1810 robbing Guadix of its glory until the cultural renaissance of the 20th century, fostered by the Accitano School, despite the fires which destroyed the city centre during the Spanish Civil War
Historical Guadix
There are over 2000 Cave houses in the TROGLODYTE area of Guadix, that are still being lived in to-day, these houses are at a constant temperature of about 60-65 deg f, all the year round. The houses are still in demand mostly by immigrants (Brits make up the majority), although cave houses should not be expanded legally to-day the rule is virtually ignored and people are still modernising them, and spend a lot of money doing so.
On the following pages I have put some various photo´s of the area also the houses.