🎨 Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain
UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising 18 caves with Upper Paleolithic art spanning 35,000–11,000 years ago
📌 Fast Facts
- UNESCO World Heritage Site established 1985; extended 2015 to include 18 caves across Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country
- Altamira Cave (Cantabria) contains paintings and engravings from the Magdalenian and Solutrean periods (c. 36,900–14,000 years ago)
- Notable component cave: Ekain (Basque Country), discovered 1969, features Magdalenian-era animal depictions dating to approximately 14,000 years ago
- Original Altamira Cave closed to general public since 2002 for conservation; limited access via lottery system; Altamira Museum offers replica
The Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing ...