Dolmen of Magacela, Neolithic dolmen near Don Benito, Extremadura, Spain
The Dolmen of Magacela is a megalithic structure made of large stone slabs arranged to form a burial chamber in the rural countryside. The stones are positioned in a specific pattern that created a protected space where Neolithic communities placed their dead.
This structure was built during the Neolithic period as a burial site for early farming societies on the Iberian Peninsula. The construction of such large stone monuments required significant community effort and organization.
This site reveals how prehistoric communities honored their dead through shared burial practices, reflecting their social bonds and beliefs. Walking around the stones, you sense the importance these people placed on gathering together for their rituals.
The site is accessible year-round in an open rural setting, though cooler months offer more comfortable visiting conditions. Bring water with you and wear sturdy shoes, as the ground can be uneven and muddy after rain.
The monument shows evidence of sophisticated techniques for moving and placing massive stones without modern equipment or machinery. These engineering methods suggest that Neolithic people possessed practical knowledge about leverage and weight distribution.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.