Es Culleram, Punic sanctuary cave in Sant Joan de Labritja, Spain.
Es Culleram is a limestone cave in Sant Joan de Labritja that extends upward approximately 150 meters with multiple natural chambers. The interior spaces include both naturally formed areas and sections that were carved or modified by hand, creating distinct levels separated by rock formations.
The cave began as a Bronze Age dwelling and later transformed into a Punic sanctuary around the 3rd century BC. Archaeological digs in 1907 uncovered more than 600 intact terracotta figures and thousands of artifact fragments from the Carthaginian period, providing evidence of its sacred function.
The cave served as a sacred place where sailors and merchants left offerings to seek blessing for their journeys across the sea. Visitors can still observe the remains of these religious practices in broken terracotta figures scattered throughout, evidence of centuries of devotion by travelers.
The cave is best visited during warmer months when visitor access is available. The pathway inside includes steep sections that require good footing, so visitors should wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight to navigate the darker areas.
A plaque discovered inside bears two different Punic inscriptions, revealing that the sanctuary was dedicated to different deities across separate time periods. This layering of dedications shows how religious practices shifted among those who used the cave.
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