MUSEUM AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK OF THE CUEVA PINTADA DE GALDAR

Google Maps:
28.144153, -15.655126

Type of site:
MUSEUM AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK OF CUEVA PINTADA IN GALDAR

Place of location: Gáldar
Village/Town: Gáldar
Municipality: Gáldar (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)
Region: Canary Islands
State: Spain
Telephone: (+34) 928 895 489
Website: http://www.cuevapintada.com/es
E-mail: cuevapintada@grancanaria.com

Natural Environment:

the Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park are situated within the diverse natural environment of Gran Canaria, surrounded by volcanic landscapes, rich vegetation, and cultural heritage sites. This unique setting enhances the visitor experience, providing opportunities to explore both the island’s natural beauty and its pre-Hispanic history.

Archaeological evidences in the site:

the Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park in Gáldar, Gran Canaria, offer a unique opportunity to explore the archaeological evidence of the island’s pre-Hispanic indigenous culture. The cave paintings, excavated structures, and artifact assemblage provide valuable insights into the ancient Canarian way of life and contribute to our understanding of the island’s cultural heritage.

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Opening Times:

Closed : every Monday of the year; January 1, 5 and 6; May 1; December 24, 25 and 31

Booking and access:

http://www.cuevapintada.com/es/horario-y-precios

Nearby cultural destinations:

Here are some nearby cultural attractions:
-Church of Santiago de los Caballeros
-Casa de los Capitanes (House of the Captains General)
-Mausoleum of the Guanche Kings
-Cenobio de Valerón
-House-Museum Antonio Padrón
These nearby cultural destinations complement the experience of visiting the Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of Gran Canaria’s history, culture, and natural beauty.

Nearby natural destinations:

Here are some nearby natural destinations to explore:
-Doramas Rural Park
-Tamadaba Natural Park
-Guayedra Ravine and Beach
-Punta de Gáldar
-Los Tilos de Moya
These nearby natural destinations complement the cultural experience of visiting the Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park, offering visitors a chance to explore the island’s diverse landscapes, flora, and fauna.

Accommodations (Tourism Website):
http://turismo.galdar.es/
Restaurants (Tourism Website):
http://turismo.galdar.es/

Age of the artistic representations:

Between the 11th and 13th centuries A.D.

General description of the destination:

Site museum that includes the remains of a pre-Hispanic settlement around the Cueva Pintada, the best preserved example of indigenous mural painting in Gran Canaria

History of the site:

The Cueva Pintada (Painted Cave) was discovered in the late 19th century, around 1873. It was accidentally uncovered by a local farmer while working on his land. The cave’s walls are adorned with intricate geometric patterns, which are believed to have been created by the indigenous Canarian people, known as the Guanches or ancient Canarians.The discovery of the cave generated significant interest among archaeologists and historians. Early studies were conducted to understand the origins and significance of the paintings.

Museographic resources description:

The museum project has wanted to go beyond the mere visit to an archaeological site and, as an innovative element, transforms this pre-Hispanic town into the main museum room. The fundamental objective of the project is to immerse the visiting public in a journey to the past, through 3D and panoramic audiovisuals, showcases, panels, models and reconstructions of pre-Hispanic homes. The creation of a magical atmosphere and space is essential to ensure that the visitor ends the tour with the idea that they have had a unique experience. In short, a proposal that generates educational, cultural and recreational resources that aspires to become a model of historical heritage management based on sustainability. For all this, there are a series of specific facilities unique on the island, among which a fully equipped archaeology laboratory stands out, in which a specific area for the treatment of materials has been set up, with areas for washing debris and flotation of sediments. There is also a restoration laboratory, equipped with modern equipment that will allow cleaning, consolidation and restoration to be carried out on all kinds of materials recovered in archaeological excavations.