Final Up to date on eleventh April 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
Perched excessive above within the craggy cliffside of the volcanic panorama lies an archaeological web site that I don’t assume sufficient folks discuss. A bit extra off the overwhelmed path, Cenobio de Valerón is an archeological gem of the Gran Canaria and simply one of the vital iconic sights of the island.
Right here’s your information on find out how to go to Cenobio de Valerón, Spain’s coolest historic pantry!
What’s Cenobio de Valerón?
Formally named Cenobio de Valerón which interprets as “Monastery of Valerón”, it is an archaeological web site tucked away on the cliffside of Montaña del Gallego, in Gran Canaria, Spain.
Constructed by the traditional Romans inside the volcanic panorama, it’s a giant complicated system of caves that had been carved into the mountain and used as a space for storing for harvested items corresponding to grains. Primarily, it’s a primitive pantry… on a extremely giant scale!
In the present day, Cenobio de Valerón is taken into account a artifical archaeological marvel and triumph, and is definitely one of the vital iconic and visited sights in all of Gran Canaria.
A historical past of Cenobio de Valerón
The historical past of the caves begins over 800 years in the past, believed to be across the 12 months 1040 CE. The traditional Canarians utilised their geological environment with the exceptional concept to carve out small caves wherein they may use as a grain retailer.
Skilfully, they created over 300 storage cavities of assorted completely different sizes, laid out over a number of ranges. Having an look much like that of honeycomb, the holes had been used to retailer grain, cereal and mainly any dry items that had been harvested and could possibly be saved for some time.
Cenobio de Valerón is in reality the most important pre-Hispanic collective granary and it was used proper up till the top of the fifteenth century. So, it’s going to in all probability come as no shock that in 1974 it was declared a monument of cultural curiosity.
Highlights of Cenobio de Valerón
300 caves
The exceptional community of caves consists of over 300 hollows which have been carved into the delicate rock of the cliffside. The assorted silos are all linked and are unfold out over eight completely different ranges. Maintaining harvested items secure from thieves, animals and the weather, it’s doubtless that there would even have been folks guarding the granary storage too.
Houses of the settlers
In your go to you’ll additionally see recreations of a house setup that may be much like how the traditional Canarians lived. In reality, most native folks of the island are thought to have lived within the caves. Wanting on the arrange, you’ll see the hunter-gatherer and agricultural type gear that may have been used.
The views
Probably the greatest issues about visiting Cenobio de Valerón, other than the caves, must be that of the views. Stretching far and huge into the gap, you can see your self really in awe on the volcanic formations of the panorama that surrounds!
The viewing platform is a good spot to take photos from and in addition provides you an excellent view wanting down into the valley beneath.
How lengthy do it’s good to go to?
Fact be instructed, you solely actually need half-hour or so to go to, this contains climbing up and down once more. The archaeological web site itself is fascinating and completely value seeing while you’re within the area, however there isn’t hundreds to see so that you don’t want to permit an excessive amount of time.
Tips on how to go to Cenobio de Valerón
Cenobio de Valerón is situated within the north of Gran Canaria, within the municipality of Santa María de Guía. It’s round a 30 minute drive from Las Palmas, so the best method to get there’s both by taxi or if you’re spending fairly a little bit of time on Gran Canaria, I extremely advocate reserving your individual transport with a view to discover the island correctly. Verify automobile rental costs and availability right here.
There’s a customer centre, (which is extra like a small picket cabin) the place you must pay a €3 entry price earlier than you possibly can go to. You’ll even be given a leaflet describing the historical past and there have been a pair souvenirs on the market too.
The stroll as much as the caves is fairly steep however is simply a brief distance, it is just accessible by foot. Your go to can be self-guided solely, there aren’t any excursions accessible.
Opening instances: The location is closed each Monday. Open 10am-5pm (prolonged to 6pm throughout summer season).
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Charlotte is a photographer, cat lover and an avid knitter. When she’s not curled up on the couch along with her latest knitting mission (and Rico her cat!) you could find her out and about on lengthy walks. At the moment residing within the magical metropolis of Edinburgh, she appears ahead to travelling and seeing extra of the world!