Join us to see some of the most fascinating places where our ancestors have lived tens of thousands of years ago at the Nerja Caves in Andalusia, Spain.
The Cueva de Narja was discovered accidentally by five boys in 1959. They informed their teachers which led to a great adventure that continues today. The Caves of Nerja are a series of caverns 158 metres above the sea level close to Nerja in the Spanish Province of Málaga. Stretching for almost five kilometres, the caverns are one of Spain's major tourist attractions.
There are two natural entrances to the caves. A third entrance was created in 1960 to allow easy access for tourists. Today, the cave is divided into two main parts known as Nerja I and Nerja II. Nerja I includes the show galleries which are open to the public, with relatively easy access via a flight of stairs and concreted pathways to allow tourists to move about in the cavern without difficulty. Nerja II is not open to the public.
In February 2012 it was announced that possibly Neanderthal cave paintings dated 42,000 years back had been discovered in the Caves of Nerja. Some skeletal remains would indicate that caves were inhabited from about 25,000 BC up until the Bronze Age. By 21,000 BC a larger human population had year-round residence in the caves. A hunting culture had evolved as illustrated by first paintings found in the cave. A wide variety of animal bones, shells and fish bones from this time have also been found.
Each of the galleries has a number of halls, areas where the walls, floors or ceilings close in to subdivide the main caverns. Archaeological excavations have taken place in the Entrance Hall. Some of findings are now displayed there. The Mine Hall and Hall of the Sink on the side are normally not open to the public although these contain many of the cave paintings.
The Hall of the Nativity is filled with columns of calcite. You can also see a skeleton on display in a glass case. It was received in the Hall. A the end of the Hall of the Phantoms you will see a large rockfall which separates it from the Hall of the Cataclysm. Itis over 100 m long and dominated by the huge central column which is the biggest in the world, measuring 13 by 7 m at the base and standing 32 m high.
Some organic remains associated with the paintings of seals have been dated in 42,000 years and these could be the first known work of art in the history of humanity.
While the caves are not accessible in a wheelchair or with a pram, the museum on the surface is and the museum on Plaza España in Nerja is included in the price of the visit to the cave. The Nerja Cave Museum is fully accessible and an alternative for those who cannot access the caves themselves.
There are benches inside the cave in two rest areas for those for whom the steps up and down are a bit too much. There are also benches in the gardens. There is a restaurant-cafeteria next to the ticket office overlooking the sea. You might also wish to check the picnic area in the shade of pine trees next to the children’s playground.
There is a museum shop with some interesting items to bring as gifts to your family, worth checking.
The accessible loos in the service area are nice and clean.
The parking lot at the cost of two Euros a spot is available throughout your stay. Mind you, the places are limited and in the summer, and it may be very difficult to find a free spot.
La Cueva de Nerja
Ctra. De Maro, s/n, 29787 Nerja, Málaga