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National Museum and Research Center of Altamira

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16 reviews of National Museum and Research Center of Altamira

Neolithic cave art

When I visited the Cave of Altamira in 1976, I didn't imagine that I’d be one of the last ones privileged enough to see this Sistine Chapel of rock art. In 1977, it was closed to the public to curb the rapid deterioration of the paintings, and when it reopened there was a 2-year waiting list.

In 1998, they began studying how to make an exact replica of the cave, the final result of which opened in July 2001. This "neocave" measures 15x9 meters and is now open along with the Altamira Museum. Rafael Alberti in The Lost Grove describes perfectly the feeling that one had leaving the original cave. He wrote: "It seemed that the rocks roared. It was like the first Spanish bull run; crammed with bulls struggling to get out...they were free of cowboys and herders. Bellowing, bearded, and terrible after centuries of darkness. I left the cave full of angels and entered the light."

From Santillana del Mar, where I was staying, there is a delightful uphill walk of about 2 miles during which you can watch the cows graze in the green pastures of Cantabria. When I reached the area of the museum, I thought my memories of my visit 28 years ago must be mistaken...it was all different and much, much bigger.


The gardens and the museum itself with its souvenir shops, cafe, and library form a modern and very educational complex, though one couldn’t help but feel a little nostalgic for the old cave, with those herds of bison now laying silent in the darkness.

The tour is free on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, so it’s advisable to go early to avoid a lengthy wait since only 20 people can visit the neocave at a time. You are assigned an exact time to visit the new cave when you enter the museum. The materials used in the construction are really of great quality, and the museum consists of a restoration workshop, laboratory, archive, and a library specializing in prehistory, and Paleolithic art. There are also workshops and guided tours for all ages.

The visit awakens all your senses: you can see, hear, touch, and almost smell and taste what our ancestors ate 18,000 years ago. As you enter the new cave, you first pass through a room where there's an exhibit about life at the time and then you access the neocave.
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+4

Altamira Cave

Excellent

The colors are great and the paintings are accomplished. You can see how taking advantage of rock grooves makes the picture more real but the environment is very touristy, there are ramps (which is fine for people in wheelchairs but it takes away realism) and railings. The price is affordable.

+5
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Excellent
+4
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Excellent
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Excellent
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Excellent
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Excellent
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Excellent
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Information about National Museum and Research Center of Altamira