| Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain * | |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, iii |
| Reference | 310 |
| Region ** | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1985 (9th Session) |
| Extensions | 2008 |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List ** Region as classified by UNESCO |
|
The Caves del Monte Castillo, located in the Cantabrian town of Puente Viesgo, contain one of the most important Paleolithic sites in the region. The complex of caves del Monte Castillo is included in the list of World Heritage of UNESCO since July 2008, within the site «Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain». These include the caves Las Monedas, El Castillo, Las Chimeneas, and La Pasiega.
This set of caves is located along the Pas river in the Castillo mountain, squarely at the intersection of three valleys and near the coast. This is a fertile ground for agriculture, hunting and fishing, which explains the emergence of several prehistoric settlements there.