Prehistorians such as Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola (discoverer of the Altamira paintings), Jesús Carballo (founder of the current Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria), and Julio Martínez Santa-Olalla excavated the cave, discovering numerous bone and antler tools finely decorated, such as the so-called ‘batons of command’ (bastones de mando). The earliest occupations occurred 84,000 years ago and are attributed to Neanderthals, followed by Homo Sapiens between 36,000 and 9,000 BC. The cave paintings were discovered in 1997 and are visible from the living area. Their placement was intentional, requiring the construction of a scaffolding around 6 meters high. Highly expressive red hinds and a horse positioned in the center of the composition stand out. Just like in Covalanas, these were created using the dotting technique (punteado), a unique method worldwide that was exclusively used along the Cantabrian Coast around 25,000 years ago.
Closed: January 1st and 6th, and December 24th, 25th, and 31st.
Low Season:
From October 21st to February 28th
– Monday CLOSED.
– Tuesday to Friday, and Sundays 9:30 AM – 3:50 PM.
Tour sessions: 9:40 AM, 10:50 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:10 PM, and 2:20 PM.
– Saturdays 9:30 AM – 4:50 PM.
Tour sessions: 9:40 AM, 10:50 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:10 PM, 2:30 PM, and 3:40 PM.
The ticket office opens 20 minutes before each tour starts.
Maximum capacity per session: 17 people.
Mid Season:
From March 1st to June 14th & September 16th to October 20th
– Monday CLOSED.
– Tuesday to Saturday 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
Tour sessions: 9:45 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:15 PM, 2:45 PM, 4:00 PM, and 5:15 PM.
– Sundays 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM.
Tour sessions: 9:40 AM, 10:50 AM, 12:15 PM, and 1:25 PM.
Maximum capacity per session: 20 people.
The ticket office opens 20 minutes before each tour starts.
Peak Season:
From June 15th to September 15th
– Monday CLOSED.
– Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Tour sessions: 10:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:45 PM, 3:15 PM, 4:30 PM, and 5:45 PM.
– Sundays 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Tour sessions: 10:10 AM, 11:20 AM, 12:30 PM, and 1:40 PM.
The ticket office opens 20 minutes before each tour starts.
Maximum capacity per session: 20 people.
Information & Bookings:
942 59 84 25
reservascuevas@culturadecantabria.es
Online Bookings: www.cuevas.culturadecantabria.com/pendo.asp
