Green culture

Discover the cave paintings in Cordillera Cantábrica

In the Pas Valleys is found a natural spectacle of great cultural and artistic richness, a unique and regional mixture. Nine Caves declared as  World Heritage sites by the UNESCO and located on these valleys give a true portrait of how men lived in these mountains 30,000 and 10,000 years ago.

Cave paintings are an exceptional testiment of the first creative minds and are one of the most important cultural manifestations of human history. The pre-historical caves of Cantabria have paintings made during almost 25,000 years and show the diversity of topics and techniques known of Palaeolithic art.

Getting into these caverns allows the tourist to roam mythical places and discover spectacular landscapes. You will delve into a world of geology, archaeology, Palaeolithic art, palaeolontology world, surrounded by the always striking underground architecture of a natural cave.

Paleolítico en Valles Pasiegos

These caves are part of the exclusive group of 40 Spanish places named as World Heritage and are an extension of the Altamira ensemble. In the caves of Las Monedas one can see first-hand civilization history and works of great artistic value, thanks to the number and density of these decorated caverns and their excellent state of preservation.

The paintings of these caves have a rich iconographic repertoire and, because of the remote antiquity and the millenary duration, a diversity of techniques and styles can be seen. From the last quarter of 19th century, first-rate world researchers have focused on analyzing this cultural manifestation, having as a result the development of many onsite and laboratory research projects and the countless publications of the results of these works.

Other interesting caves are the Cave of La Pasiega (Puente Viesgo) and the Cave of Las Chimeneas (Puente Viesgo).

Make a reservation for the Pre-historical Caves of Cantabria in www.culturadecantabria.com

reservascuevas@culturadecantabria.es

Phone: 942 598 425   Fax: 942 598 305

The Cave of Sopeña is an authentic recreation of the Cave El Salitre during the Palaeolithic. Here you can discover how life was and how the cave paintings of El Salitre in Alto Miera were made.

Walk inside a beautiful cavern, discover the day-to-day and spiritual life of Palaeolithic inhabitants of Alto Miera and learn how the big bears of the caves hibernated and died. In this place all of this is possible, located in one of the most beautiful corners of rural Cantabria, along an underground, easy path and a great atmosphere to make us go back in time 18,000 years.

Replicas and recreations show the visitors the red and black cave paintings, of El Salitre and life styles in a hunters-gatherers camp from High Palaeolithic. During the visit, you will discover a settlement, its life style, hunting tools and how they made fire, etc.

Other interesting caves are the Cave of La Pasiega (Puente Viesgo) and the Cave of Las Chimeneas (Puente Viesgo).

Schedule October-November

Monday to Friday from 10:30 to 14:30, Tuesday closed.
Weekends from 10:30 to 14:30 and from 16:30 to 19:30. 
Visits of 45 minutes each hour. Last visit one hour before closing.

Prices 2,5 € and 1€ (<12 and > 65 years).

Town Hall phone: 942 539 746
Guide: 619 415 872  

Spanish heritage protected due to its artistic, paleontology, archeological, ethnographic, scientific or technical value is known as BIC (Cultural Interest Good) and is named by the corresponding administration.

The Pas Valleys have a great repertoire of Cultural Interest Sites: 

PAS VALLEY
• Square and Church of Vega de Pas
• Square and Church of San Pedro del Romeral
• Manor House of Fuentes Pila in Puente Viesgo
• Church of Santa Cecilia in Villasevil
• Historical Ensemble in Alceda

WORLD HERITAGE PRE-HISTORICAL CAVES (UNESCO)

• Caves of El Castillo in Puente Viesgo
• Cave of La Pasiega in Puente Viesgo
• Cave of Las Monedas in Puente Viesgo
• Cave of Las Chimeneas in Puente Viesgo

PISUEÑA VALLEY
• Collegiated Church of Santa Cruz de Castañeda
• Roman Church of San Andrés in Argomilla de Cayón
• Roman Church of Nuestra Señora Asunción in Santa María de Cayón
•  Town Centre of Esles de Cayón
• Palace of Soñanes in Villacarriedo
• Museum of Pas Wetnurses and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Valvanuz in Selaya
• Palace of Donadío in Selaya

MIERA VALLEY
• Palace of Elsedo. Contemporary Art Museum in Pámanes
• Historic Quarter of Liérganes
• Manor House of Miera and Cruz de Rubalcaba
• Church of Santa María de Miera
• Casa del Rey and El Resbaladero in San Roque de Riomiera

PRE-HISTORICAL CAVES

• Cave of Sopeña, Salitre in Miera