Laja Alta, Rock art cave in Jimena de la Frontera, Spain
Laja Alta is a sandstone cave perched above the Gomero gorge, offering views toward Algeciras Bay and the Rock of Gibraltar. Its walls hold schematic depictions of ships and maritime scenes from ancient Mediterranean times.
Ancient artists created schematic depictions of ships during the first millennium BC. These works document various vessel types and reveal the maritime activities valued by people of that era.
The paintings show connections between inland communities and maritime cultures of the early Mediterranean period. They reveal how people living inland related to seafaring societies of their time.
A marked trail of about 6 kilometers connects the Los Abuches recreational area to this protected cave site. The walk is demanding and calls for sturdy footwear, plenty of water, and enough daylight hours.
The cave walls contain rare depictions of ancient ships, with only a handful of similar examples scattered across the Mediterranean region. Naval scenes like these are uncommon at most other rock art sites, making this location particularly noteworthy.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
