Andalusia Caves
Andalusia Caves
Treasure Cave in Rincon de la Victoria Málaga
Rincon de la Victoria has a unique value throughout Europe, the Treasure Cave. It is one of the only three caves of marine origin that are known in the world. The other two are in Asia and Central America. For all residents, visitors and tourists of Malaga should be a must.
Check in times.
Winter (September 16 / June 14)
Morning: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (closes at 2:00 p.m.)
Afternoon: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm (closes at 6:00 pm).
Summer (June 15 / September 15)
Morning: 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (closes at 2:00 p.m.)
Afternoon: 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (closes at 8:00 p.m.).
PRICES AND MORE INFORMATION
Pileta Cave (Benaoján)
It is a cave, located in the municipality of Benaoján, inside you can see cave paintings of the Upper Paleolithic. It was discovered in 1905 by a village farmer, José Bullón Lobato.
It is currently private property. In the excavations were found ceramic remains of the time, a pendant that represents the goddess Venus. Among the paintings, animals stand out, which sometimes appear superimposed on each other in different colors. The cavity, which is exploited today by the heirs of its discoverer, opens to the public every day.
It is necessary to reserve a ticket in advance to enter it. The price for adults is 8 euros, while children and students will only have to pay 5 euros.
Cave of the Cat (Benaoján).
Like La Pileta, this cave is in the municipality of Benaoján. It has archaeological and speleological interest. It is located in the natural park of the Sierra de Grazalema. It is considered one of the most emblematic places of the Serranía de Ronda. Both for its size and for having served as a natural refuge, from the first settlers in the area to the bandits of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
The cavity is formed by an underground river, the Gaduares, which takes the Guadiaro course. The river has more than 4 kilometers inside. You can not enter the cave if you do not have prior authorization and the necessary equipment, but you can see the great waterfall and the pool of cold and crystalline water that leaves the river at the entrance.
Cave of the Hundidero (Montejaque).
A high cave, about 50 m. It communicates through the underground system with the Cueva del Gato.
3 km from the town of Montejaque, Access is not allowed here without the relevant permission.
Ardales Cave.
This cave located in Ardales, contains in its interior cave paintings of the Solutrean era (20,000 years BC), a very important Neolithic site (3,800 years BC) and several burials of the Chalcolithic (2,700 years BC. ).
Thisincluded in the "Roads of Rock Art".In order to access, you must reserve a ticket in advance as it has limited visits per year, to allow its conservation.
With the Prehistory interpretation center in Guadalteba, located at the entrance of Ardales. Phone: 952 458 046
Belda Cave (San Marcos Caves). Closed to the public
The cave is not open to the public due to the presence of a large colony protected from bats.
In the upper part of the fault are the remains of what was the medieval city of Belda.
To know this site, difficult to access on foot, it is advisable to know the interpretation center 'the Path of the Millennials', which is at the foot of the Sierra de la Camorra.
Nerja Cave.
It is the most visited cave in Andalusia. The size of its main gallery allows concerts to be held within it.
Located next to the village of Maro in Nerja. It was discovered by a group of young people in 1959.
It has 4,823 meters of travel, making it one of the largest topographic development in the country.
You can visit the galleries that have an area of more than 9,000 square meters. In addition to its spectacular geological formations - stalactites and stalagmites -, it is of great importance for knowledge about Prehistory, because organic remains associated with some paintings have been dated in 42,000 years.
You could be considered one of the first known works of art of Humanity.
Cave of the Organs (Mollina).
Although in the Sierra de la Camorra, one of the main elevations of the Vega de Antequera, there are more than thirty cavities, this cave stands out especially for its size. With a hundred meters deep and a kilometer of travel, this cave attracts many fans of caving, especially for those who are starting, as it has one of the least complex accesses. This ease of access has led to it not being preserved like other cavities in this part of the sierra located in the municipality of Mollina. Although there are no cave paintings, there are indications that the cave was known for centuries by the inhabitants of the area. In fact, there are some graffiti from the 18th century. In addition, there are even legends that are related to a historical character who died not far from there, the bandit known as El Tempranillo.
Cave of the Bull (Antequera).
This cavity, located in the natural landscape of Torcal de Antequera, has been a Cultural Interest As of February 2016. He has plenty of reasons for this. It has been shown that the cave was inhabited seven thousand years ago, as one of the findings found there, known as the 'Venus del Torcal', a small stone carving that inexorably reminds of the emblem of this protected space, the Screw , one of the first natural monuments of Andalusia. To get to know it, it is necessary to contact the Torcal de Antequera Visitor Center, which usually organizes guided tours inside this cavity inhabited in the Neolithic.
Las Grajas (Archidona).
At the foot of the Sierra del Conjuro, just over a kilometer from the town center of Archidona, is this cave, where remains have also been found that show that it was inhabited thousands of years ago. Specifically, the different findings show that there was a Musterian settlement (Middle Paleolithic). In addition to that archaeological value, it has an undoubted natural component. Its unique geological formation serves as a refuge for many birds. The practice of climbing is common in the environment. Today it is possible to approach its entrance through a pleasant walk from the center of the town itself. To do this, we must find the circular path of the Grajas, which is conveniently marked.
Boquete de Zafarraya (Alcaucín).
This cave, located in the municipality of Alcaucín, but very close to the Granada town of Ventas de Zafarraya, is famous for finding fossil remains of Neanderthals. Specifically, within this cavity, located to the southwest of the mountain pass of the Boquete de Zafarraya, two femurs, a tibia and the already famous jaw that were baptized with the name of this enclave were found in 1983. This was found complete and was a great milestone in the investigation of Prehistory throughout the country. Today this cavity is an emblem for this area of Alta Axarquía, which acts as a natural border with the province of Granada.
Peñas de Cabrera (Casabermeja).
In the place known as Cerro Mojea, in the municipality of Casabermeja, are the shelters of Peñas de Cabrera, located next to the Guadalmedina riverbed. Although these are not deep caves, as in other cases, these rocks, which served as a refuge for the first settlers in the area, contain a valuable pictorial ensemble. It is a series of rock art samples from the Chalcolithic, which have been found in the natural shelters formed in the rocks thanks to erosion erosion. These paintings are schematic pictorial manifestations, of red color, in which the anthropomorphic motifs abound. Access to this site requires a short hiking route.
Smoke Complex (Malaga).
In the most steep and eastern coast of the city of Malaga, prehistoric remains have also been found in different caves and shelters in the area of La Araña, almost on the border with Rincon de la Victoria. It is a karst area where pieces from the Neanderthal to the Neolithic and Chalcolithic have been found in several excavations. For its scientific value, this area should become an important archaeological park. Specifically, it has an interpretation center and seven sites that are essential to know Prehistory in the area. Of all its caves, the most important is the Smoke Cave. Currently, guided tours of this archaeological park can be made through the archaeological association 'Yacimiento de la Araña'. Other groups, such as ArqueoRutas, also organize there educational workshops designed for children.
Sima de las Palomas (Teba).
This cave is located in the enclave known as Tajo del Molino, which is crossed, in turn, by the river de la Venta. Although it is not the only cavity where archaeological sites have been found, it is the most important and by far. With limited access (it is currently closed to the public with a fence), this cave housed shelters in different prehistoric communities. In fact, in the last excavations carried out by researchers, spaces with fires and homes, related to food, have been located for more than seventy thousand years.
Fuensanta Cave (Igualeja).
Located on the hill of the same name, in the territory of Igualeja, in the Genal Valley, this cavity is part of a set of karst caves, where rainwater and aquifers have been sculpting unique geological forms. Thus, stalagmites abound in the Cueva de la Fuensanta. Because of these natural characteristics, it is one of the most visited enclaves by caving fans. Alongside this cave, we should also refer to the Cave of the Eccentrics, discovered in 1975 and with similar geomorphological characteristics.
Cave of Ojén.
In these cavities there is no need to look for cave paintings or stalactites. All this is compensated with excellent views of the town, in the case of those known as Cuevas Altas. In the past they served as a refuge for livestock and even as homes. Now, these cavities have been restored and prepared for the enjoyment of neighbors and foreigners. The Low Caves have been rehabilitated for their cultural use. When the heat tightens the most, these cavities become a true natural snack.
Cave of the Grand Duke of Caseres
Within the unique karst formation that is the Sierra de la Utrera, at the southern end of the municipality of Casares, there are numerous caves in which there are not only interesting geological elements but there is also evidence of prehistoric settlements. This is the case of this cavity, known as that of the Grand Duke, which was inhabited during the Neolithic period. To get closer to it, you have to go through one of the 'poles' that make up this mountain range. Currently, there are approved active tourism companies that can take guided tours of this and other cavities in the area.