Sorbas

Population circa 2800

Market day - Thursday

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Clinging to the banks of a fork in the Rio Aguas in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range, Sorbas is famous for both it's 'hanging' houses and the distinctive ceramics which are mostly produced in the Alfareria area of the town.

The area was originally settled by the Iberians, who then set up trading links with the Phoenicians.

Much later, the Arabs used their knowledge of irregation to divert some of the water that then flowed in the Rio Aguas to produce fertile farming land from the 'barren' desert around the town. Their main crops were cereals, vegetables, olives and almonds, but they also introduced sheep, goats and cattle. The Moors/Arabs also built potteries to take advantage of the abundant and durable local clay - there remains to this day an excellent example of the wood-burning Moorish kilns in the Barrio (area) de las Alfarerias.

The traditional cantaro, a two-and-a-half gallon water pot that was once the mainstay of local households, is still a best seller, now as a decorator item for modern living rooms. Even damaged and sub-standard pots have their use: every Ash Wednesday evening, the younger townsfolk hurl these items against the walls of less popular residents!

Nearby, at Karst en Yesos, are the Cuevas de Sorbas, which is one of the largest network of gypsum caves in Europe, covering an area of some 12 km. Over 1500 caves have been mapped: various guided tours are available in the summer, depending on the strength of your constitution and depth of your pocket!.

Today, it is still a town of beauty with modern services, some typical bars serving "tapas" but specially keeping with its pottery traditions and benefiting from the natural wonders of the gypsum caves which are all worthy of your time.