Important examples of prehistoric rock art
The paintings are some 14,000 years old and have the World Heritage designation.
The cave has an irregular shape and is some 270 metres in length. It has an entrance hall, main gallery and side hall, and contains some of the world's best examples of prehistoric rock art. The drawings are some 14,000 years old and show bison, deer, boar, horses… They are painted using natural, red-coloured ochre and outlined in black. To ensure their conservation, the cave structure and paintings have been painstakingly reproduced, using the same painting techniques, in the Altamira Museum's Neo-cave. Visitors can marvel at the details of the great ceiling with its polychrome bison, and visit the painters' workshop, where they can hear an explanation of the techniques used to create this masterpiece of rock art.
Practical info
Construction: Caves and tourist mines
Origin: Prehistoric
Artistic period: Prehistory
Setting: The town of Santillana del Mar is 2 kilometres away, and offers a range of historical and cultural attractions.
Location
Zona Cuevas de Altamira
39330 Santillana, Santillana del Mar (Cantabria)
http://museodealtamira.mcu.esTel.:+34 942818005/ +34 942818815
Fax.:+34 942840157
Useful information
From May 01 to Oct 31
From Tuesday to Saturday
Does not close at midday
From 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Public holidays and Sundays
From 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Closing days: Monday
From Nov 01 to Apr 30
From Tuesday to Saturday
Does not close at midday
From 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Public holidays and Sundays
From 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Closing days: Monday
Closed: 1 and 6 January, 1 May, 28 June; 24, 25 and 31 December.
The times and prices are for the Altamira Museum because it is not possible to visit the Altamira Caves.
Prices
General: €3
Reduced: €1,50
Free after 2:30 pm on Saturday, all day Sunday, 18 April, 12 October, 6 December and 18 May.
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