Photo by @tamaramerino_photography / Judith, a 12-year-old, walks over a cave dwelling. Caves cover the hills of Guadix—a region in southern Spain containing around 2,000 caves that have been used as homes for generations—spread over an area of 200 hectares (500 acres). Most are lived in, with about 4,500 occupants. The caves have been used for thousands of years. The security and isolation that prehistoric populations found in these primitive natural shelters would later be sought by other cultures for protection from religious and racial persecution. Now the structures are home to a unique and quietly proud community who comprise the largest cave settlement in Europe. This photo is part of my series Underland, which documents communities living underground or in caves around the world. Follow me on @tamaramerino_photography for more photos. #caves #undergroundhouse #underland