Only 13 inhabitants and an environment that does not seem like Spain but rather like fantasy: white houses between giant red stones and a "enchanted city"

Chequilla is one of those places that could appear on a list of “places that don't look like Spain”, only here the reasonable resemblance would be to some fantasy place. The white houses appear scattered among enormous red sandstone formations in this Guadalajara municipality of just 13 inhabitants. It is located within the Alto Tajo Natural Park and, due to its size, one might think that it is a place that can be visited in ten minutes, but around its few streets extends a small labyrinth of rocks shaped over centuries by water and wind. It is an authentic open-air stone museum.

What to see in Chequilla

The great rarity of the town is its natural bullring. There are no lines, bricks or a monumental façade, but rather several reddish sandstone formations serve as natural stands around the arena, integrated into a small meadow. Although you have to put a little imagination into it, it is difficult to find another square in the world with a more exclusive design. Gaudí would have taken notes.

It is part of Las Quebradas, the group of rock formations that surrounds Chequilla and that has earned the name of Little Enchanted City. The explanation lies in its passages, cavities and rocks that erosion has turned into a kind of stone city with its towers, sculptures and natural buildings. Among them there are also viewpoints from which to contemplate the white houses of the town. It is a much less known and popular alternative to other landscapes of the style. Of course, what they all have in common is that they end up seeing animals, faces and castles where, in reality, there is only rock, water, wind and a lot of imagination.

Once inside the town center, it is worth visiting the church of San Juan Bautista, built in the 18th century and which houses a small baroque altarpiece inside. Also striking is the whitewashing of the houses, which contrasts with the reddish tone of the sandstone formations, and which gives the town an even more picturesque appearance.

Where to eat delicious and cheap in Chequilla

With only 13 inhabitants, expecting an avenue full of restaurants would be asking too much. In fact, to eat sitting at the table you have to go to Checa, a few kilometers away and where we do find several restaurant options. One is Bar El Casino, where they serve traditional food from the area and a good choice if you are looking to eat without spending too much time or money.

Another option is Bar El Puente, an alternative to order portions or dishes of Spanish cuisine. Although there is also Casa Evelia, located inside the La Gerencia accommodation (in case we also want to spend the night).

Alto Tajo Tourism

What to do around Chequilla

The excursion can continue in Checa, which is one of the towns with the most services in this part of the Alto Tajo. In addition to walking along the Genitoris River, on the outskirts is La Aguaspeña, a tuff formation created by water depositing calcium carbonate on mosses and plants. The result looks like a waterfall that has gradually turned into stone.

Chequilla is also located within the Molina-Alto Tajo Region Geopark, integrated into the UNESCO World Geopark Network. From the town there are paths that allow you to enter its pine forests and discover its geological formations. In addition, the GR-160 or Camino del Cid passes through there, whose stage between Chequilla and Alto de Orea covers about 17 kilometers and takes around six hours on foot.

A little further awaits the rest of the Alto Tajo Natural Park, with its gorges, ravines, viewpoints and rivers of transparent water. However, it is not necessary to organize a twenty-kilometer route to justify the trip. In Chequilla you just have to walk among the rocks and enter a bullring that no one had to build. For a town of 13 inhabitants, it's not bad at all.

Cover photo | Victor Sanchez Alcazar

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