Cantabria is the “Land of Altamira” and a perfect region to discover the landscapes and ways of life of the first groups of modern humans (Homo sapiens – our species) who populated Europe around 40,000 years ago. To tour the prehistoric destinations of Cantabria is also to discover a surprising region, with valleys and coastal areas of great beauty where the “inhabitants of Altamira” developed sophisticated cultures during the last glaciation, including spectacular rock art. In addition, there are sites from later times with different rock art expressions, but always surprising.
Sites to visit: 1-2. Cuevas de Covalanas y Cullalvera (Ramales de la Victoria), 3. Cueva de Sopeña -Salitre II –recreación- (Miera), 4. Cueva de El Pendo (Camargo), 5. Museo de Prehistoria y Arqueología de Cantabria -MUPAC- en Santander, 6-7. Cuevas de Monte Castillo –El Castillo y Las Monedas– (Puente Viesgo), 8. Cueva de Hornos de la Peña (San Felices de Buelna), 9. Museo Nacional de Altamira (Santillana del Mar), 10. Cueva de Chufín (Rionansa), 11. 11. Cueva de Cambarco (Cabezón de Liébana), 12. Arte megalítico de Combranda (Vega de Liébana), 13. Ídolos rupestres del Nansa, 14. San Juan de Socueva (Arredondo)
Not to be missed: The caves declared World Heritage by UNESCO that can be visited directly: Covalanas, El Pendo, El Castillo, Las Monedas, Hornos de la Peña and Chufín.
How to get there: The route of the Palaeolithic art (1-10) starts in Ramales de la Victoria and ends in Rionansa, visiting the municipalities of Miera, Escobedo de Camargo, Santander, Puente Viesgo, San Felices de Buelna and Santillana del Mar. On the other hand, in Liébana, Nansa and Arredondo (11 to 14) we find other rock art (megalithic and historical) manifestations.
