Still Discovering Spain...

The Spanish-German artist Wolf Vostell (1932-1998) is a fundamental figure in contemporary art in the second half of the 20th century. He was the discoverer of the concept 'Décollage' as an artistic tool, father of "Happenings" in Europe, pioneer of video art and initiator of the Fluxus movement.

Vostell, linked to Extremadura since 1958 after marrying Mercedes Guardado from Cáceres, met in 1974 the Natural Park of Los Barruecos.

This artist's encounter with this space of incomparable natural beauty, populated by large granite rocks and numerous lagoons, combined with the resounding presence of the 18th Century "Lavadero de Lanas" (The wool wash) buildings, left an unforgettable impression upon the artist. This unexpected reality resulted in the launch of a unique and innovative museum, as an expression of avant-garde art; a meeting place for Art and Life.

The Vostell Malpartida Museum offers visitors three collections of contemporary art: Wolf and Mercedes Vostell Collection, Fluxus Collection-Gino Di Maggio Donation and the Collection of Conceptual Artists.

In addition to the exhibition rooms, you can also visit the Interpretation Center of the Livestock Trails and History of the Wool Wash Complex. The museum extends into the landscape of the Barruecos with two sculpture-environments, both installed between the rocks: VOAEX (Viaje de (H)ormigón por la Alta Extremadura) (1976) - a Journey with Cement through High Extremadura - with which the activity of the Vostell Malpartida Museum began, and 'The Thirsty Dead Man '(1978).

It is currently one of the most important avant-garde European museums and has become an obligatory forum within the national and international art scene.

I'll bet whatever you want that not many people know of a place where you can literally find a village inside a cave, and if that wasn't enough, with sea views. This really was a discovery, a surprising and incredible one at that and it is most definitely a place to visit if you are in the region. Add it to your list as you will not be disappointed.

You don't have to travel very far if you are already in the Canary Islands because this remarkable place can be found on the island of La Palma. Tucked into a large cave, on an impressive cliff, we can find a small village that seems to be taken from an adventure novel. The village is called Porís de Candelaria and it is located in the most western part of the island built upon the oldest rock formations of lava on La Palma which combined with a backdrop of almost vertical cliffs make for a spectacular sight.

The meaning of its name comes from the word 'porís' which means 'jetty or natural harbour'. In it, we find white-washed houses located under a giant stone semi-dome created by the constant volcanic eruptions that the island has had over the centuries. The majority of the houses are more than 80 years old and are used by their owners during the holiday season to escape the heat.

To get to the 'secret cave village' from the town of Tijarafe, you need to follow the road that goes towards the sea, the LP-1 heading North for about 4 kilometres.

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