Prehistoric Rock Art Trails

ENEBRALEJOS CAVE

Google Maps:
41.146460, -3.677211

Type of site:
Cave

Place of location: Cueva de los Enebralejos
Village/Town: Prádena de la Sierra
Municipality: Prádena (Segovia)
Region: Castilla y León
State: Spain
Telephone: (+34) 921 507 077, (+34) 921 507 113
Website: https://www.cuevadelosenebralejos.es/es/
E-mail: cuevadelosenebralejos@gmail.com

Natural Environment:

The cave is located at the foot of Somosierra, in the small town of Prádena (province of Segovia). In its surroundings there is a profuse vegetation of holly, oak, juniper and broom, as well as one of the most important holly trees in Spain. The cave is in Upper Cretaceous limestone, at the base of the gneiss massif of the Central System of mountains. A karst landscape has developed in this limestone, with the formation of abundant caves.

Archaeological evidences in the site:

The cave was used for burials in the Chalcolithic, between 2000 and 1800 BC. Archaeological studies have determined that a large early Bronze Age settlement existed in the area. Numerous remains of artefacts and pottery have been found, as well as engravings and paintings in the burial places.

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Opening Times:

All visits to the cave are guided and last approximately 45 minutes. The passes are formed according to strict order of arrival in groups of maximum 12 people, except for tickets purchased online. Tuesday to Sunday: Passes at 11:00-12:00-13:00 / 17:00 and 18:00; besides, on Saturdays and Sundays there are passes at 16:00 and 17:00 too.

Booking and access:

https://www.cuevadelosenebralejos.es/es/tarifas-y-horarios

Nearby cultural destinations:

Segovia (45 km). Domingo García (79 km). Sepúlveda (22 km).

Nearby natural destinations:

Duratón Ravines (22 km). Riofrío de Riaza Beech-wood (34 km).

Accommodations (Tourism Website):
https://www.turismocastillayleon.com/ / https://www.segoviaturismo.es/
Restaurants (Tourism Website):
https://www.turismocastillayleon.com/ / https://www.segoviaturismo.es/

Age of the artistic representations:

Chalcolithic – Bronze Age.

General description of the destination:

The cave contains a few black paintings and hundreds of engravings on its walls. Both types of art represent geometric figures, straight and wavy lines, in isolation or forming complex grids. The absence of naturalistic representations does not allow their meaning to be interpreted, although some of the paintings have been identified as anthropomorphs.

History of the site:

Local tradition tells that the entrance to the cave was closed by the Holy Inquisition in the time of the Catholic Kings due to rumors that Jews were hiding in the cave, although no evidence has been found to prove this legend. In 1932 the cave was discovered by chance during the excavation of a hole for a cattle farm, causing one of the galleries to collapse. The most complete archaeological study was carried out by Luciano Municio, who defined the cave as an early Bronze Age necropolis, based on the documented pieces of pottery, lithic tools and cave art. On May 20, 1995, the cave was opened to the public.

Museographic resources description:

The Archaeological Centre is located at the entrance of Enebralejos Cave. Panels give information about the geographical situation, the context of the Copper Age and the way of life at that time (animal-herding, hunting, copper-making, and the production of rock art). There are glass cases; one with bones of the animals and the other with replicas of the pottery.