Cueva de Covalanas


Useful Information

Location: Ramales de la Victoria.
N-629 from Colindres to Ramales de la Victoria.
Open: Summer daily 10-13, 16-19:30.
Winter Wed-Sun 10-14.
Groups maximum six people.
[2008]
Fee: Adults EUR 3.
[2005]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave ArchaeologyPainted Cave
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:  
Guided tours:  
Photography:  
Accessibility:  
Bibliography: H. Alcalde del Rio, H. Breuil, L. Sierra (1911): Les cavernes de la region Cantabrique (Espagne). Imp. Vve. A. Chene, Monaco.
A. Leroi-Gourhan (1965): Prehistoire de l'art occidental, Mazenod, Paris.
A. Moure Romanillo, C. González Sainz, M.R. González Morales (1991): Las cuevas de Ramales de la Victoria (Cantabria), Arte rupestre paleolitico en las cuevas de Covalanas y La Haza. Universidad de Cantabria, Santander.
Address: Cueva de Covalanas, Joaquin Eguizabal Torre, 39800 Ramales de la Victoria, Tel: +34-610-916066.
Ctra. Colindres-Burgos, 39800 Ramales de la Victoria, Tel: +34-942-678-328, Tel: +34-942-646-504.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

13-AUG-2008 inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Description

The highlight of Cueva de Covalanas (Covalanas Cave) is its 12 m long monochrome panel featuring over 22 figures including horse and reindeer. The cave is located uphill from the village Ramales de la Victoria. The path is steep and it takes about 15 minutes to reach the cave, which is probably the reason why it is visited only by a low number of people. On the other hand, this was and is a strategic advantage. During the Stone Age, the cave was ideal to see both prey and enemies from far away, and enemies had to walk up to the cave and were exhausted when they reached the cave. Today, when most caves have restrictions for the numbers of visitors, this cave seldom sold out. And of course, there is one of the most beautiful views in Cantabria.

Around the village Ramales de la Victoria there are numerous other caves which may be visited, but only after appointment with the local cave admnistration. La Haza Cave is 10 m deep with three red horses at the botton, which are surrounded by other less spectacular figures. Sotarriza Cave is not very big, the passage is only 110 m long. It has a black horse. And nearby at Guardamino is Cullalvera Cave, which has a very small entrance. All caves are wild cave, or probably semi wild caves, but rather easy to visit. Details according equipment are given when you make the appointment. We recommend at least sturdy boots, appropriate clothing and if available a helmet with headlamp.