Nerja caves
During your holidays in Nerja it is definitely worth your while to visit the famous caves (Cuevas de Nerja), also known as the pre-historical Cathedral due to its 22 cave paintings from the Paleotical era.
The cave was discovered in 1959 and by 1961 it was declared an historical, artisan monument.
About 5 million years ago, drop by drop, water entered the marble cliffs which dissolved the rock and a large cave began to emerge
Because of earthquakes and landslides during the Holocene the water was forced to find a new way through the caves and so the giant stalactites and stalagmites we still see today were formed.
Skeletal remains were found showing that these caves were inhabited approximately from 25.000 years b.Ch. up to the bronze period. After which the caves were inhabited by hyenas, during the period that there wasn´t any human life in Spain.
The caves were rediscovered in 1959, when a group of youths from Maro decided to hunt bats in the area. The area was once known as the "Maro cemetery mines". During sunset they saw how large groups of bats flew out of a natural entrance to the cave "la mina". The youths decided to return the following day with tools to remove the stalactites so they could enter the caves. Once inside they were amazed to note that they weren´t the first to enter the caves. To their amazement various skeletons lay spread on the ground with ceramic dishes next to them. They went home to tell their family and friends.
The second visit to the caves was made by a doctor and a photographer. They took various pictures that were publicized about 100 days later in the local Malaga Newspaper (Sur). They called the cave "the miracle cave" and later "the Nerja caves".
Sqm and the halls
The total sqm of the cave is 35.484m2 with a volume of 64.379m3.
The caves of Nerja are located just outside the village of "Maro" at the foot of the mountain rage "Sierra de Almijara" just 10 kilometers from Nerja.
The best way to get there is by taking the A7 motorway. Take exit 295 where you will see a sign for the caves, "Las cuevas de Nerja"
On the official website for the Nerja caves 
you will find more detailed information about the opening hours and prices.
Visit our online travel guide with tourist information about the Torrox and Nerja areas.
