Victoria Cave

Located in the imposing El Cantal hill in Rincón de la Victoria (Málaga), Victoria Cave is a place of great historical and archaeological history, whose roots dive into the origins of humanity. With 30,000 years of history, this cabe has witnessed the cultural evolution of the first human groups which inhabited the Bay of Málaga.

A unique prehistorical refuge

During the Upper paleolithic and the Neolithic, Victoria Cave worked as a refuge and ceremonial area for human communities. This natural complex, made of more than two kilometres of galleries, not only provided shelter, but also a space for artistic and ritual expression.

Its walls feature cave paintings which represent different scenes of the daily life, spirituality and social interaction among of these communities. There are 67 anthropomorphic figures specifically decorating its galleries, being one of the most significant schematic art collections in Southern Europe.

A Neolithic funerary location

Victoria Cave gained major importance during the Neolithic, when it turned into an important funerary space. This happened around 13,000 years ago, when its inhabitants drew the shapes of some individuals in one of their main galleries, creating a symbolic scene which represented the relation between life and death.

The remains of the death people were left at the center of the funerary gallery, surrounded by these anthropomorphic representations. This kind of community burial ceremony shows the importance of rituals and beliefs related to the life and death at the time.

Paintings and Cave art:

The Paleolithic and Neolithic Art within the cave become an exceptional proof of the artistic and symbolic abilities of our ancestors. Among the most renowned works of art we may find ‘The Deer’ (‘El Ciervo’), an emblematic Upper Paleolithic painting which has become a symbol in the Treasure Caves, with which it is connected.

This kind of art, along with engravings and archaeological pieces founded in the dig, are part of a legacy that has been recognised as one of the most important ones in Mediterranean Europe.

Archaeological findings: pieces telling stories from the past

Victoria Cave has provided numerous items which illustrate the daily life of these prehistorical societies. From tools made of stone to food remains such as seafood, these remains reveal details about the diet and economic activities of the ancient inhabitants of Málaga Bay.

Some of the most important findings, such as harpoons and othjer Neolithic tools, are exhibited in the National Archaeological Museum, solidifying this cave undeniably as a role model for the prehistoric heritage of the Iberian peninsula.

Transformation and opening to the public

From a touristic perspective, Victoria Cave is well-known since mid-20th century, as it was part of the different explorations made in the cavity systems of El Cantal, which include the Treasure Cave and El Higuerón Cave. During the 70s, linking works between these caves preserved their more prehistoric section, which remained unaccesible to the public for decades.

Nowadays, after major conservation work, Victoria Cave has opened as a unique experience which combines science, history and culture in a guided tour which allows visitors to explores its deepest secrets.

A legacy that goes beyond time

Victoria Cave is not only a landmark for human history, but also a reminder of our connection with the past. Its conservation and study continue to teel us about the strategic and cultural role of this location in the Western Mediterranean history.

Visiting Victoria Cave is to dive into a living chapter of Prehistory, a trip which connects the oldest roots of Málaga with the present.