Caves of Nerja: A Natural Cathedral Underground

The Story of Rediscovery

On January 12, 1959, five young friends from the nearby village of Maro were exploring the hillside when they noticed bats emerging from a narrow crevice. Curious, they squeezed through the opening and found themselves in an enormous subterranean chamber. Word spread quickly, and within days, local authorities sealed the area for investigation.

What the initial survey teams found exceeded all expectations. The caves contained not only spectacular geological formations but also evidence of human habitation dating back tens of thousands of years. Charcoal fragments, stone tools, and animal bones indicated that early humans had used parts of the cave complex as shelter during the Upper Paleolithic period.

The caves were officially opened to the public on June 12, 1960, just a year and a half after their rediscovery. Since then, researchers have continued to study the site, regularly uncovering new passages and artifacts that deepen our understanding of the cave's history.

Geological Wonders

The Caves of Nerja formed over millions of years as rainwater slowly dissolved the marble and limestone bedrock of the Sierra de Almijara mountains. This process created a complex system of galleries, chambers, and narrow passages decorated with an astonishing variety of speleothems: stalactites hanging from the ceiling, stalagmites rising from the floor, columns where the two have merged, and delicate curtain-like formations along the walls.

The most celebrated formation is the column in the Hall of the Cataclysm, which holds the Guinness World Record as the largest stalagmite in the world. Rising 32 meters from the cave floor with a base diameter of 18 meters by 7 meters, this formation has been growing for hundreds of thousands of years, adding just fractions of a millimeter with each passing century.

The cave system is divided into two main sections. The tourist galleries, which make up about one third of the total length, are open to the public with paved walkways and atmospheric lighting. The upper galleries, accessible only to researchers with special permits, contain even more dramatic formations and fragile ecosystems that could be damaged by regular foot traffic.

Paleolithic Cave Art

Among the most significant features of the Caves of Nerja are the paintings and charcoal drawings left by prehistoric inhabitants. Located primarily in the restricted upper galleries, these artworks include depictions of horses, deer, fish, and abstract symbols rendered in red and black pigments.

In 2012, researchers at the University of Cordoba published findings suggesting that some of the cave's paintings may have been created by Neanderthals rather than Homo sapiens. Uranium-thorium dating of calcite deposits covering certain seal-like images yielded dates of approximately 42,000 years ago, which would predate the known arrival of modern humans in this region. If confirmed, these would be the oldest known cave paintings in the world, though the findings remain the subject of ongoing scientific debate.

The cave's art also includes post-Paleolithic additions. Neolithic-era inhabitants left pottery fragments and traces of pigment, suggesting the caves served as a gathering place for communities long after the Ice Age ended.

The Festival of the Caves

Each summer since 1960, the Cataclysm Hall within the caves transforms into one of the world's most unusual concert venues. The Festival de la Cueva de Nerja brings together musicians and dancers from Spain and beyond to perform in a chamber that seats approximately 800 people.

The natural acoustics of the cave create a sound quality that many performers compare favorably to purpose-built concert halls. The towering stalactites and dramatic lighting add a visual dimension unlike any traditional venue. Flamenco, classical music, and ballet have all graced this underground stage, and tickets often sell out months in advance.

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