Cueva de los Murciélagos, Neolithic cave system in Zuheros, Spain
Cueva de los Murciélagos is an extensive limestone cave system extending for two kilometers at an elevation of 980 meters within the Sierras Subbéticas mountain range. The system features multiple chambers and passages with distinctive rock formations.
The cave system shows evidence of continuous human settlement from the Middle Paleolithic period around 35,000 years ago through Roman times. This long span demonstrates how different cultures used the site across thousands of years.
The cave walls display paintings of goats, human figures, and geometric patterns that reflect the shift from hunting-based communities to farming societies. These artworks offer visitors insight into how early inhabitants expressed themselves through visual art.
Visitors can explore 450 meters of the cave system on guided tours, with indoor temperatures staying constant between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius. Sturdy footwear and a jacket are recommended to navigate safely and comfortably through the damp underground passages.
The cave serves as home to one of the largest bat colonies in Andalusia, with multiple species inhabiting its deeper galleries. These colonies become especially active during evening hours when the bats depart for hunting flights.
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