Santimamiñe Caves

An Ancient Landscape

The cave of Santimamiñe has been a point of reference in our area for most of the past century. For decades, successive generations of Biscayans have been able to explore its galleries and look at its rock paintings and carvings. Now, after 90 years of visits, the cave, which is a real geological, artistic and archaeological treasure, needs a great deal of cleaning and conservation work. With a new presentation, partly physical and partly virtual, the public that will have the opportunity to get to know and enjoy the complex in a sustainable and responsible way.

Stages

• The tour begins at the kiosk adjacent to the hermitage of San Mamés (Basondo, Kortezubi). From here, the group ascends to the cave entrance with a guide. In this stage, it is important to know the natural environment of the surrounding Holm oak forest of Cantabria and its particular flora and fauna.

• Once inside the cave, visitors can witness the extent of the research work conducted on the site, which was resumed a few years ago, and learn about the findings.

• Back at the hermitage of San Mamés, a sophisticated 3D virtual replica provides visitors with the opportunity to tour the whole cave, understand its formation and morphology, and certainly admire the examples of prehistoric art that the cave contains.

How to get there
In Gernika-Lumo, take the ring road in the direction of Lekeitio and follow the BI 635 road to the roundabout at Barrutia.

Then continue along the BI 2238 road, and after driving through the neighbourhood of Idokiliz, take the turnoff to the right and follow the BI 4244 to the end of the road until you reach the car park at Lezika.

Prices

General: 5€
Concession: 3€
Scholar groups: 1€ per student