Cave of El Castillo

The Cave of El Castillo sits within Monte Castillo and holds more than 180 animal depictions along with around 50 different prehistoric symbols on its walls. The passage extends about 18 meters (60 feet) into the mountain, with images from different time periods layered one over another.

The site was found in 1903 by archaeologist Hermilio Alcalde del Río, revealing archaeological layers that span from the Proto-Aurignacian period through the Bronze Age. The layered record demonstrates that people visited and left their mark on this location across many thousands of years.

The red hand stencils in the Panel de las Manos section show how people marked their presence on the rock wall about 40,000 years ago. These handprints stand as some of the oldest personal marks left by inhabitants of this region.

Access to the cave is through a visitor center reached from the CA-703 road near Puente Viesgo. Guided tours available by reservation give you the best way to see the wall art and understand what you are looking at.

The cave displays an extensive collection of animal drawings made with charcoal and red ochre, including rare illustrations of dogs found in the regional cave art. These dog depictions are unusual in local cave art and reveal a special bond between people and animals in that time.

Location: Puente Viesgo

Part of: Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain, Caves del Monte Castillo

Address: SP-6022, s/n, 39670 Puente Viesgo, Cantabria, Spain

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 09:00-15:00; Saturday 09:00-16:00; Sunday 09:00-15:00

Phone: +34942598425

Website: https://cuevas.culturadecantabria.com/el-castillo

GPS coordinates: 43.29222,-3.96549

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01