Cueva del Gato, Natural monument in Benaoján, Spain.
Cueva del Gato is a natural monument near Benaoján where crystal-clear water emerges from an underground system extending several kilometers through limestone formations. The cave contains different chambers and crevices shaped by water over long periods of time.
The cave served as a shelter for humans during the Stone Age, as archaeological finds reveal. Excavations uncovered tools and pottery from that period, documenting the long history of human settlement at this location.
The name refers to a mythical underground cat from local legends about the region. Visitors walking through can sense how people have inhabited this place for thousands of years, leaving traces of their presence throughout.
To visit the cave, follow the route from Ronda toward MA-7401 and look for parking near the station area. The path to the cave is easily walkable, but sturdy shoes and a flashlight are necessary to safely explore the interior chambers.
The cave system is part of a larger underground complex containing chasms and subterranean lakes shaped by water at different levels. These hidden bodies of water show how active the water flow remains in the underground today.
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