Los Intervenciones -The creators of Rota’s Scavenger Hunt

Did you know there is a scavenger hunt in Rota? Villa de Rota is renowned for its charming beauty, picturesque beaches, and the presence of the American military stationed at the nearby military base. However, there’s a hidden gem in this quaint town – an anonymous artistic group known as “The Intervenciones”. They’ve adorned Rota with various artistic touches, creating a quasi-artistic/cultural scavenger hunt for locals and visitors alike.

This initiative aims to highlight the local heritage and enhance the beauty of Rota’s historic corners. With the support of the town hall, The Intervenciones have strategically placed over ten unique objects around the town, each with its own story and significance.

The concept is simple yet engaging – a fun and active way to explore the old city while discovering some of its most iconic landmarks, including the Castle, the Church, the old Arches, and the lighthouse. These artistic interventions are cleverly integrated into the surroundings of these main monuments, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the cityscape.

For those interested in embarking on this artistic treasure hunt, a map is provided below, outlining the rough locations of several art pieces. However, the true essence of the project lies in the individual’s exploration of the town and the thrill of discovering these items on their own. To maintain the challenge, the map provides only a general outline, encouraging visitors to immerse themselves fully in the experience. Be sure to explore the main monuments marked on the map and uncover the hidden treasures scattered throughout Villa de Rota.

Below you can find the different items and their stories:

1. Flecha de Hércules – The Arrow of Hercules 

This is in reference to the antiquity of the bay of Cadiz

Myth: The legend states that the oracle of hercules ordered him to launch arrows in the most beautiful and emblematic places in the world. 

The plaque next to the arrow reads:

“La flecha de Hércules”: cuando Hércules separó las columnas y se juntaron los mares del Oráculo ordenó lanzar una saeta que señalaría el lugar donde morarían las futuras civilizaciones.

-Anonimo

“When Hercules separated the columns and the seas met the Oracle ordered he launch an arrow that would mark the place where future civilizations would dwell.”

-Anonymous

2. S.O.S

This intervention was a group effort, several students from the local elementary school came out to participate anonymously. 

The SOS (written 5 times) represents 5 calls of help, a reminder that there are 5 continents that need attention. It is a reminder that the so-called first world should not be the only one with a leading role.

The 5 signals are written on the lighthouse to remind us of the legend of The lighthouse of Alexandria.

Myth: The Great Lighthouse of Alexandria  was erected between 300 and 282 BC by the king (Ptolemy I Soter) who succeeded Alexander the Great. This gigantic building became the tallest lighthouse in the area and was dedicated to the Saviour Gods (Zeus), on behalf of those who sail the seas. It was meant to help guide sailors into the island of Pharos at night as it seems the water was very treacherous and many ships would wreck in the attempt.

3. Barca de Piedras –  Boat of Rock

This boat can be found at the foot of the lighthouse and represents all of the risks one takes, as well as the lives lost to the sea as migrants cross between continents and countries seeking a better life. The rocks from the beach that sit inside the boat symbolize the weight any of us may have to carry

4. Bésame En Esta Esquina – Kiss Me in This Corner

Placed along the boardwalk you can find square tiles that spell out ‘Besame en esta esquina’ Kiss me on this corner. This phrase is meant to represent how there is something intimate about a corner of a small town and to show the beauty of our alleyways so that people will give it the value it deserves.

The original Kiss me on this corner was placed on a wall in one of the narrow streets in the center of the town . However they had to be relocated as the neighbors complained of young lover demonstrating their feeling very late at night.

5. Torre del Caracol – Snail Tower

You can find this piece of art on Calle Extremadura. The snail symbolizes the old tower on the wall during the time of the muslims (XI) and the snail shape that the staircase had. As you can see they are all facing towards the tower.

6. Amantes Separados

These two clay figures have been placed cattycorner to each other. They are based off of the book, Tarzan, written by Ignacio Martnez de Pisn, a Peruvian writer and professor. The story is about a love that  transcends time: a feeling that evolves through the different phases of passion and ends up as a sort of tenderness or friendship. 

Myth: The story is about impossible love. A love which represents many in the Town of Rota, such as a local Roteña woman who fell in love with an American. Although they were physically separated they were united through a great love, which was expressed through passionate letters they sent to each other. 

This story has sparked an annual competition of love letters in the town that are read in August. 

7. Nadadores en las Azoteas – Roof Top Swimmers

These three ceramic heads looking toward the ocean wearing swimming caps, and goggles, represent those towns folk you can find swimming in the ocean at off times. 

8. Bajaar (Casa Verde) – The Green House

This house represents the old houses of Rota, Although this house is very old there are others that are older. Above the house, there is a clay mold of the face of the individual who began the Intervenciones movement in Rota.

This house represents the old houses of Rota, Although this house is very old there are others that are older. Above the house, there is a clay mold of the face of the individual who began the Intervenciones movement in Rota.

9. Rota Llena de Calabazas (Mayeteria) – Rota Full of Pumpkins (Mayeteria)

The pumpkins (squashes) represent some of the most important native vegetables in Rota. Theses squashes have fed and helped support the economy of the town for many generations. The farmers of Rota are known as Mayetos and their practice of agriculture as Mayeteria. In order to honor the farmers of Rota for cultivating such a tasty and important vegetables through the years, the Intervencion group has placed 19 different displays of ceramic pumpkins all over the old town of Rota. You can find them on walls, roofs and in different courtyards.  

10. Puertas Abiertas – Open Doors

These clay heads represent how international the small town of Rota has been through the centuries. In recent history the military base has brought many people from afar but, the fact that Tota has become lovely tourist destination, has helped continue visitation by many different cultures, races, and ethnicities over the years.

This artistic display also represents and advocates for mutual respect and tolerance.

11. Los Vientos

No information has been found on this artistic display (we believe it has been taken down, but we could be wrong maybe its still somewhere hidden around Rota). If you find it let us know!

12. Dios Océano – God of the Ocean

Myth: Legend has it that during the Roman reign a large rock was found. When it was cleaned, a ring was discovered depicting the God of the Ocean, a man with the tail of a fish.

In mythology, Oceanus was a Titan, the son of Uranus and Gaia. The Roman depicted this Titan as having the torso and arms of a muscular man with a long beard and horns or crab claws on his crown, and with the lower body of a serpent.

If you are interested in the Intervencion group and would like to check out their youtube videos you can see them on facebook, here.

Personal Note:

For those of you interested in doing the scavenger hunt, it is a lot of fun to walk around the town and try to find all of the little curious items placed around the old town. Make sure you also take the time to see some of the town’s monuments and try a new tapa bar and have a caña (small beer) or Tintilla (a local wine). If you are interested in booking a tour in Rota where we will explore the “The Intervenciones” and more, check out our Tapa and Cultural Tapa Experience.