Acusa, Archaeological site in Artenara, Spain.
Acusa is an archaeological site nestled within a natural rocky fortress where multiple caves are carved into vertical stone walls separated by deep ravines. The complex spreads across different levels with remains of residential caves and storage structures that showcase how people adapted to this dramatic landscape.
This location was home to pre-Hispanic Canarian populations who built cave dwellings and granaries here before European contact. In the 14th century, Franciscan monks established a presence nearby, marking a turning point when two very different worlds met in this remote place.
The caves reveal how indigenous Canarian people organized their daily lives through clever storage rooms carved into rock and red pigment marks left on the walls. These visible traces show the practical wisdom and creativity of those who lived here centuries ago.
Marked pathways guide visitors through different cave sections, winding between two main ravines that form the natural boundaries of the site. Sturdy footwear is essential since the terrain is uneven and paths can be steep in places.
The complex contains a Cave-Hermitage with an unusual opening positioned directly above its entrance, creating a window to the sky. This distinctive feature blends the spiritual spaces of ancient inhabitants with the religious use later brought by monastic visitors.
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