The Painted Cave of Gáldar. The aboriginal history of Gran Canaria.
The Painted cave of Gáldar will reopen its doors at the end of the year, in order to give an opportunity to those tourists and archaeology lovers to approach the ‘alive’ history of the aborigines from Gran Canaria. After meticulous restoration and conservation work of its cave paintings, this archaeological site will undoubtedly be a must visit that should not be missed by those who wish to come by and enjoy the cultural and artistic heritage of Gran Canaria. The Painted Cave is considered as one of the most important archaeological sites of the Canary Islands, not only for its dimensions, but also for housing one of the clearest examples of the Canarian aboriginal art.
The discovery of the Painted Cave of Gáldar dates back to the year 1873 and due to its extraordinary historical value, the Canarian government has deemed that its rupestrian paintings, based on geometrical shapes painted in red, black and white, should be preserved.
As a result of the excavation work carried out over the years, the Painted Cave of Gáldar has become one of the most important prehispanic sites in Gran Canaria, since it is surrounded by a village comprising some sixty houses and artificial caves built between the VI and XVI century, which had survived until the island was conquered.
The preservation of its paintings has been the principal focus of archaeological work carried out in the Cave, paintings which remind us of the pictorical shapes adorning the tiles and seals of the ancient inhabitants of the Canary Islands.
The Painted Cave of Gáldar is currently considered a National Trust monument and is included in the National Plan of Archaeological Sites. It is a must for all lovers and investigators of the aboriginal history of the islands, who admire in its rock, the extraordinary beauty of these rupestrian works of art.
For further information: www.cuevapintada.org
