Cueva de El Pendo
Spain · Europe · ✦ UNESCO World Heritage Site
The 'Frieze of the Hinds' — a 25-metre panel of red deer that hid in plain sight until 1997
Age
~18,000 yrs
Period
Solutrean–Magdalenian
Setting
Cave
Art form
Paintings
Discovered
1997
Status
Open (Guided Visits)
A huge cave vault near Santander, excavated since the 19th century — yet its greatest treasure, a 25-metre frieze of red-painted hinds visible from the cave floor, went unnoticed until 1997. The panel of deer, horses and a goat, painted around 18,000 years ago, is now part of the UNESCO ensemble of Cantabrian caves.
Gallery
Notable Features
- ◦ 'Frieze of the Hinds' panel
- ◦ Overlooked until 1997
- ◦ Cathedral-sized entrance vault
Depicted Subjects
DeerHorsesIbexSigns
Plan a Visit
AccessThis cave can be visited.
BookingAdvance booking required — places are limited
Sources & Further Reading
Hours & prices change — always confirm on the official site before travelling.
Photographs via Wikimedia Commons — image credits. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.