How to visit the original Altamira Cave (Cantabria): conditions

Do you know that for some time now you can visit the original Altamira Cave, riding a Cantabria?

Altamira It is the first place where the existence of the Paleolithic rock art and one of the most important places in the world with prehistoric paintings.

The original cave was closed to visitors in 2002, until a experimental program which they wanted to check if it was possible to reopen to the public what is considered to be Sistine Chapel rock art.

Can you now visit the original Altamira Cave?

After a trial period, finally in 2015. el Altamira Museum Board of Trustees authorized that these visits could continue to be carried out in a very exceptional way.

Therefore, Now it is possible to visit the original Altamira Cave.

Curiosities about the history of the Altamira Cave

If we review the history of this enclave of rock artWas Modest Cubillas who in 1868 discovered the cave, a fact that he commented to the naturalist and prehistorian Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola.

When and who discovered the Altamira Cave

Years later the aforementioned Marcelino Sanz realized the importance that this previously unexplored cavity could have, upon learning that in the south france caves were being investigated in search of remains of the Paleolithic.

And, indeed, he began a research process so that, on a visit in 1878 accompanied by his daughter, she became the first person to see the famous polychrome paintings from Altamira.

Located between the municipal limits of Santillana del Mar y Reocin, Altamira cave It has a linear route of about 270 meters.

It is considered to have been inhabited 35.000 years ago, but about 13 years ago its access was blocked by a landslide and there was no human presence again until its discovery.

As I have mentioned, the Altamira cave It was closed in 2002 to visits by the general public, a closure that seemed definitive.

So to address the great interest that the Altamira cave among those of us who travel to Cantabria, it was decided to build the Altamira museum and neocave, a complex that annually receives about 250.000 visitors

In the visit of the Altamira neocave what I did during one of my recent trips to Cantabria, I found that it is a very interesting replica of the original cave.

In this place there is no shortage of famous polychrome painting of bison and deer known as the Great Room, with a fidelity such as, for example, that achieved in the neocave of Lascaux IV, in France.

After the implementation of the aforementioned Research Program for the Preventive Conservation and Access Regime of the Altamira Cave, now the general public can return to visit the original cave of Altamira and see the famous paintings.

How to visit the original Altamira cave: conditions

Buthow can you visit the cave and what are the terms to do it?

As we have mentioned, in February 2014 Initially, a system of raffle among visitors for visit the original cave of Altamira, which on the occasion of the Covid19 health crisis was suspended.

Once the pandemic was over, on August 15, 2020, the possibility of visit the original cave, but with a different system.

Waiting list to visit the original Altamira Cave

Nowadays Only five people each week can visit the Altamira Cave, which represents a total of 260 people per year.

To this end, the possibility of requesting a visit was opened by contacting the waiting list that already existed before the pandemic.

However, currently this waiting list is closed and there is no information on when the possibility of joining it will be opened again.

If you requested to be added to the waiting list, you can contact the following email if you need to make any changes to your personal information, such as address or telephone: administracion.maltamira@cultura.gob.es.

And if your wish is join the waiting list To, whenever possible, be able to see this jewel of rock art in the world, here you can consult the most up-to-date information.

What is the visit to the original Altamira Cave like?

The lucky people who visit the Altamira Cave every week they have to do it cwith special clothing and a very defined route and stay times, a total of 37 minutes.

The clothing consists of disposable overalls, hat, gloves, masks and special footwear; In addition, touching the rocks or taking photos is not allowed.

During the rtour inside the cave Specific stay times must be met in certain places.

And during the visit they take place various controls, such as air and rock temperature or relative air humidity, as well as other outdoor controls.

In short, if possible visit the original Altamira Cave, and when the draw is restored, good luck in it.