Sierra de San Francisco
Mexico · Americas · ✦ UNESCO World Heritage Site
Gigantic, vividly colored Great Murals hidden deep in the isolated volcanic canyons of Baja California.
Age
~2,100 yrs
Period
Late Archaic to 1300 CE
Setting
Rock shelter
Art form
Paintings
Discovered
1894
Status
Open (Guided Multi-Day Treks)
Hidden within the remote, rugged canyons of the Baja California peninsula, this UNESCO World Heritage Site covers nearly 184,000 hectares and encompasses over 250 separate rock shelters. Created by the vanished Cochimi or Guachimi people between 110 BCE and 1300 CE, the 'Great Murals' feature incredibly well-preserved, larger-than-life human and animal figures painted in vivid red, black, white, and yellow. The artists painted high on cave walls and ceilings, illustrating a deep connection between the hunter-gatherer societies and their rich marine and terrestrial environments.
Gallery
Notable Features
- ◦ Over 250 separate painted rock shelters
- ◦ Oversized bi-colored human figures
- ◦ UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993
Depicted Subjects
Human FiguresMarine FaunaTerrestrial Fauna
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.