Caves in Costa Blanca

We know that many of our readers are interested in history and in particular the history of Costa Blanca. Because of that, today we suggest a trip along with the cave paintings of the Pla de Petracos in Castell de Castells.

This cave sanctuary in Castell de Castells is known as the Sistine Chapel of Neolithic art. There are huge exceptional paintings that look untouched and in a magnificent state of conservation.

These rock paintings were made by the first peasant people with knowledge about agriculture, livestock, pottery, and polished tools. They established in the Iberian Peninsula after they reached this territory in the Neolithic period. The oldest Neolithic sites on the peninsula were found In the north of the province of Alicante. UNESCO recognized these sites as World Heritage.

This magical sanctuary is still unknown to the public. Despite the fact that many tourists stay in coastal towns like Dénia, Jávea, Calpe, and Benidorm.

How to get to the cave paintings in Castell de Castells

The site lays inland and there is no direct highway nearby. The easiest route by car is from Benissa to Alcalali over the CV-750. From there take the CV-720 to Benichembla. Once passed this town continues for 9 kilometers towards Castell de Castells until you reach the Barranc de Malafit. Be aware that part of these roads is mountain roads with beautiful views but with many curves and height differences.

The caves

They discovered these cave paintings in 1980. The sanctuary is composed of a cave-sanctuary and eight smaller caves. Five of them have perfectly visible and huge pictorial representations in a deep red color. Four of the caves are very close to each other and located at high altitudes. They conserve representations of Macro-schematic Art that corresponds to the oldest Neolithic era. Another cave shows a representation of a wounded deer pierced by arrows.

The visit to the cave site is very easy. It is a circular route of just one kilometer. The route shows the different types of Schematic painting and Levantine art, as well as the cave-sanctuary itself.

Former settlers and painters used the cave as housing and shelter. It is a place that still retains part of the charm and definitely worth a visit.

The history of the caves

According to the most widespread explanations and theories, these paintings reflect and represent social and religious concerns. Levantine Macro-schematic art is a unique art since only in this part of the peninsula is it possible to see this type of paintings. It received this name due to the large size of the figures represented and the linear and simple symbols. The motifs reflected in these cave paintings seem to represent the pleas and prayers for the gods to protect the health of the tribe and its animals, as well as the good harvests.