Centro de Interpretación de San Emeterio y la Cueva de El Pindal
Free interpretation centre next to the entrance to El Pindal cave, with Palaeolithic rock art, and starting point for visits to the cave.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The centre is on Cabo de San Emeterio, in Pimiango (Ribadedeva), next to the entrance to El Pindal cave, and is the starting point for visiting it. Its exhibition revolves around the cave itself and the Santa María de Tina monastery, which set the chronological limits of the content, and it also refers to the Fuente del Salín cave and the Torre de Estrada.
El Pindal cave has a single entrance facing the sea, which leads to a large vestibule lit by natural light and a linear gallery in complete darkness. The gallery is about 600 metres long, of which only the first 300 metres are visited. Along it are five groups of Palaeolithic paintings and engravings; the main panel contains almost 80% of the animal figures. Bison are the most represented species, followed by horses; the mammoth and the fish are the most exceptional motifs. Red and engraving predominate, although there are also some black figures.
The rock art of El Pindal dates from different phases of the Upper Palaeolithic, with clearly Magdalenian elements. The paintings and engravings were discovered in 1908 and form part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing “Cave of Altamira and Palaeolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain”.
Highlights
- Starting point for the guided visit to El Pindal cave
- Palaeolithic rock art with bison, horses, hinds, a mammoth and a fish
- Exhibition on the cave and the Santa María de Tina monastery
- Setting of Cabo de San Emeterio, by the sea
Permanent exhibition
- La Cueva de El Pindal y el monasterio de Santa María de Tina – Permanent exhibition on the cave and the Santa María de Tina monastery, which frame the chronology of the content, with references to the Fuente del Salín cave and the Torre de Estrada.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | –The cave admits children from the age of 7. |
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| Guided visit to El Pindal cave, general admission | €3.13Telephone booking compulsory; cards are not accepted. |
| Visit to El Pindal cave, reduced admission | €1.62Children aged 7 to 12, people over 65, large families and holders of the Carné Joven. |
Admission to the interpretation centre is free. The visit to El Pindal cave is charged separately, in cash; rates may vary by season.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 7+
The centre has free entry; visits to the cave are permitted only from the age of 7.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
There are two car parks: one next to the interpretation centre and another in the direction of the lighthouse.
From the N-634, turn off at El Peral towards Pimiango on the RD-1, then head down towards the hermitage of San Emeterio.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | A telephone booking is essential to visit the cave (608 175 284, Wednesday to Sunday, 15:00–17:00). Children under 7 cannot enter. Cards are not accepted for payment. |
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