Cave of Altxerri, Prehistoric rock art cave in Aia, Spain.
Description
The Cave of Altxerri is a rock shelter with prehistoric engravings located in Aia. It contains roughly 120 carved animal figures that show the hunting patterns and wildlife that inhabitants knew during the Ice Age.
History
The engravings were created roughly 39,000 years ago and rank among the oldest known stone art in Europe. This early artistic work shows that prehistoric people already had developed sophisticated carving skills.
Culture
The engravings follow the Franco-Cantabrian School style, demonstrating the sophisticated artistic capabilities of prehistoric communities in northern Spain.
Practical
Entry to the cave is restricted and typically requires advance permission to arrange. Most visitors learn about the site through the interpretation center at Pagoeta Park, which explains the importance of these carvings.
Did you know?
Some engravings show rare animals like saiga antelope and wolverine, which are seldom depicted in cave art. These carvings reveal the diverse large animals that roamed the frozen landscape of northern Spain during that era.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Gipuzkoa).
Church of San Nicolás de Bari, Orio
988 m
Mutiozabal ontziola
882 m
Endaya etxea
1 km
Orioko zubia
1 km
Mari Maestra etxea
1.1 km
Casa Kolon Txiki
969 m
Mitxelena etxea
1 km
Nagusia 6 etxea, Orio
1 km
Nagusia 8 etxea, Orio
1 km
Uzkun etxea
1.1 km
Enbil pilotariaren irudia
994 m
Nagusia 10 etxea, Orio
1 km
Bikarioetxea
992 m
Nagusia 12 etxea, Orio
1 km
Salatxo etxea
954 m
Herriko Enparantza 3 etxea, Orio
999 m
Casa calle Mayor 11
1 km
San Nikolas 3 etxea, Orio
1 km
San Nikolas 19 etxea, Orio
947 m
Caseron Aritzaga
936 m
Almirante Oa 1 etxea, Orio
1.1 km
Eusko Gudari 4 etxea
965 m
Casa calle Mayor 4
1 km
San Nikolas 17 etxea, Orio
953 m
San Nikolas 15 etxea, Orio
957 m
San Nikolas 7 etxea
998 m
Nagusia 1 etxea, Orio
995 m
Casa calle Mayor 7
1 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes