Victoria Cave

Description

For the first time in 30,000 years, Victoria Cave opens its doors to the public with a unique experience guided by an expert. Duration: 2 hours. What does your visit include:

• Paleolithic and Neolithic cave paintings.
• The Canopy Room, a funerary hypogean which dates from 3,000 years before the Egyptian tombs.
• Emblematic paintings such as ‘The Deer’ (‘El Ciervo’) from the Upper Paleolithic.
• Archaeology comes to life: discover how the first inhabitants of Málaga lived, ate and paid homage.

Included equipment: Helmet with a frontal LED. Recommendations: Wear non-slip sport shoes and comfortable clothing. Temperature inside is around 18-19ºC.

OPENING DAYS AND HOURS

Opening Hours:

• Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays: 10:00, 12:30
• Sundays: 10:00, 12:30
• Closed on: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (except public holidays)
• Not available on: 24th, 25th, 31st of December; 1st and 6th of January

Limited daily attendance: Only 30 visitors a day, divided in groups of 10 people.

• Reception area
• Guided tours
• Information materials in paper and through media such as the website and social networks
• Parking
• Bathroom

Buy tickets for the Cueva de la Victoria

The Experience

Are you ready to feel the emotion of the past? Discover the most fascinating active tourism and enjoy an unforgettable experience in Victoria Cave.

This activity is classified as Active Speleological Tourism:

• Ages allowed: 10 – 70 years old
• Physical condition: Not suitable for people with mobility problems or claustrophobia
• Clothing: Trekking or hiking shoes

Now that you are ready, let’s discover it!

Victoria Cave's History

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

A unique prehistorical refuge

During the Upper Paleolithic and the Neolithic, Victoria Cave served as a refuge and ceremonial area for human communities. This natural complex, formed by more than two kilometers of galleries, not only provided shelter, but also a space for artistic and ritual expression.

Its walls feature cave paintings representing scenes of daily life, spirituality, and social interaction of these communities. Specifically, 67 anthropomorphic figures decorate its galleries, being one of the most significant collections of schematic art in Southern Europe.

A Neolithic funerary location

Victoria Cave gained major importance during the Neolithic, becoming an important funerary space. Approximately 13,000 years ago, its inhabitants drew the shapes of individuals in one of the main galleries, creating a symbolic scene representing the relationship between life and death.

The remains of deceased individuals were placed at the center of the funerary gallery, surrounded by these anthropomorphic representations. This type of community burial highlights the importance of rituals and beliefs related to life and death during that era.

Paintings and cave art: a unique legacy

The Paleolithic and Neolithic Art in the cave are an exceptional testament to the artistic and symbolic abilities of our ancestors. Among the most notable works is ‘The Deer’ (‘El Ciervo’), an emblematic Upper Paleolithic painting that has become a symbol of the Treasure Caves, to which it is connected.

This art, together with engravings and archaeological artifacts found on site, forms part of a legacy recognized as one of the most important in Mediterranean Europe.

Archaeological findings: pieces telling stories from the past

Victoria Cave has yielded numerous objects illustrating the daily life of prehistoric societies. From stone tools to food remains like seafood, these artifacts reveal details about diet and economic activities of ancient inhabitants of the Málaga Bay.

Some of the most remarkable findings, such as harpoons and other Neolithic tools, are displayed in the National Archaeological Museum, consolidating this cave as a key reference for the prehistoric heritage of the Iberian Peninsula.

Transformation and opening to the public

Known from a tourist perspective since the mid-20th century, Victoria Cave was part of the explorations in the El Cantal cavity system, which includes the Treasure Cave and the El Higuerón Cave. In the 1970s, connection works preserved its most prehistoric section, which remained closed to the public for decades.

Today, after careful conservation work, Victoria Cave has opened to offer a unique experience combining science, history, and culture in a guided tour that allows visitors to explore its deepest secrets.

A legacy that goes beyond time

Victoria Cave is not only a monument to human history, but also a reminder of our connection to the past. Its conservation and study continue to illuminate the strategic and cultural role of this site in Western Mediterranean history.

Visiting Victoria Cave is diving into a living chapter of Prehistory, a journey that connects Málaga’s oldest roots with the present.