Tour Description & Booking Calendar
After picking you up from your hotel, we will head to Puente Viesgo, home to the impressive Monte Castillo, to explore the famous El Castillo and Las Monedas caves. This site is of great importance in the world of prehistoric art, housing four caves that were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2008 due to their significant ancient cave paintings.
We will begin with the Cave of El Castillo, discovered in 1903 by Hermilio Alcalde del Río. Its paintings are among the oldest in the world, featuring iconic negative hand stencils, mostly of women, one of the earliest known depictions of a constellation, and images of animals that once roamed alongside the humans who lived in the cave. Archaeological studies have shown that both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens coexisted in this cave, an extraordinary event in prehistory.
Next, we will visit the Cave of Las Monedas, known for its delicate charcoal drawings of animals from the Magdalenian period. While it has fewer artistic periods than El Castillo, this cave is notable for its geological importance, with an impressive display of stalactites, stalagmites, and other fascinating formations that create a beautiful mix of colors and textures.
Finally, we will take a short walk through the charming village of Puente Viesgo, exploring its greenway, the picturesque Pas River, the historic town hall, church, and the iconic Puente Viesgo spa, which has played a key role in the development of this quaint inland village.
If you’re visiting Cantabria and have an interest in prehistoric art, this tour is an absolute must. It’s a perfect combination of history, nature, and culture in a truly unique setting!