LOS CASARES / LA HOZ CAVE

Google Maps:
40.939655, -2.292200

Tipo de sitio:
Cave

Lugar de localización: The cave is located about 3km north of Riba de Saelices, on the side of Mirón Hill, or Pedriza del Mirón, above the rising of the River Linares or Salado which, 20km downriver, flows into the River Tajo.
Localidad: Riba de Saelices
Municipio: Riba de Saelices and Santa María del Espino (Guadalajara)
Región: Castilla-La Mancha
País: España
Página Web: https://cultura.castillalamancha.es/patrimonio/catalogo-patrimonio-cultural/cueva-de-los-casares

Entorno Natural:

The site is in the Upper Tajo Natural Park, in the east of the Province on Guadalajara, and the north-west of the Province of Cuenca. It is the largest area of river gorges in Castilla La Mancha, with great diversity in the geology, climate and relief. It is in an excellent state of conservation.

Evidencias arqueológicas del sitio:

It is the widest assemblage of Palaeolithic rock art in the Central Meseta. Another important sites in this huge region are El Reno cave (in Guadalajara province too), La Griega cave and the open air site of Domingo García (both in Segovia province).

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Horarios de apertura:

From 1st October to 31st March: Friday: from 14:00 to 18:00 / Saturday and holidays: from 10:00 to 18:00 / Sunday: from 10:00 to 14:00. From 1 April to 30 September: Fridays: from 16:00 to 20:00 / Saturdays and public holidays: from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00 / Sundays: from 10:00 to 14:00. Closing days: Monday to Thursday.

Acceso y reservas:

https://cultura.castillalamancha.es/patrimonio/yacimientos-visitables/conjunto-de-los-casares

Destinos culturales cercanos:

Dolmen of Portillo de las Cortes (Aguilar de Anguita). Ceremeño Hill-fort (Herrería). Historical centre and Museum of the Life of Molina de Aragón. Monastery of Buenafuente del Sistal.

Destinos naturales cercanos:

Upper Tajo Natural Park. “La Dehesa de Corduente” Visitor Centre. Hundido de Armallones. Sima de Alcorón. Puente San Pedro. Zaorejas Viewing point.

Alojamientos (Web turística):
http://www.turismocastillalamancha.es/alojamientos/
Restaurantes (Web turística):
http://www.turismocastillalamancha.es/restaurantes/

Cronología de las representaciones rupestres:

Late Gravettian to Middle Magdalenian periods (Between 23,000 and 13,000 years ago).

Descripción general del destino:

Casares Cave has nearly 200 Palaeolithic representations, most of which are engravings, mainly of horses, red deer, ibex, bovines and anthropomorphs (a bear too). Some simbols complete the graphic record. Recent studies have questioned some interpretations about some representations of human figures and specific animals.

Historia del sitio:

The engravings in Los Casares Cave were discovered in 1928 by Rufo Ramírez, a teacher in Riba de Saelices, and his brother Claudio. A few years later they were studied by Juan Cabré and his daughter Maria Encarnación Cabré, who published the first reports in 1935 and 1940. Currently, a great research project is proccess by a team of the Uiversity of Alcala de Henares.

Descripción de los recursos museográficos:

In the next town of Molina de Aragón, there is a Regional Museum that offers an excellent collection of pieces that try to show the cultural, geological and environmental richness of Molina de Aragón Region and the Alto Tajo, as well as the evolution and history of the area.