Ruins and Graffiti

As we drive across this region and especially in the Natural Park, we see the ruins of casas and cortijos (ranches) that we're told are hundreds of years old; the remnants of these rugged, stone, plaster and stucco dwellings dot the landscape. Even with roofs, windows and doors gone and the two ft thick walls crumbling, you can see some of these buildings were once well apportioned....built in, plaster book cases and cupboards, corner fireplaces and interior trims leads one to believe these were once home to more then the average peasant.

What I tell you here may be totally wrong but this is how I understand it....since the inception of the Natural Park (20+years???ago) there has been a moratorium on building (to help prevent the blight of condos springing up in this lovely place, I would imagine). Close to the small villages that were already established there are now zones that are allowed some
restricted development. Beyond that you can only build in the park if the property you purchase already had at least the remnants of a (former) dwelling. So, it seems the owners of these properties remove the roofs so the building is no longer livable-hence making it less taxable(?????) and keep the ruins so there is a higher probability to sell the property as a potential homestead (and for more money)..Like I said, this is my hypothesis and it might be complete rubbish...

In any event, these ruins not only prove this was once a very vital region and add a richness and human element to this rugged landscape, they also, sometimes, provide a canvas for some rather beautiful (depending on your point of view) graffiti. Today we were finally able to drive around and capture some of these works of art.......