Parque arqueológico de El Cabo
Iberian settlement from the 5th century BC, rebuilt at full scale in the San Macario park in Andorra, moved stone by stone from its original site.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The original Iberian settlement of El Cabo was about 2 km west of Andorra. It was fully excavated in 1999, yielding more than 40,000 remains, mainly pottery, together with bronze and bone objects. Radiocarbon dating places it in the 5th century BC, in the Early Iberian period, and suggests that it was occupied and abandoned within a few decades. An open-cast coal mine was going to destroy it, so its most significant architectural elements were numbered and moved.
With them the settlement was rebuilt on the southern slope of the San Macario hill, above the town: a walled enclosure with defensive towers and a bent entrance, a central street and some forty rectangular houses roofed with local pine and juniper. Some spaces were built to their original height, and it is the only Iberian settlement moved stone by stone from its original location. One of the two-storey houses serves as a museum space, and the park includes an experimental archaeology area.
About 400 m south of the settlement, next to the A-223 road, lies the necropolis, with six circular burial mounds. Each contains an urn with cremated remains and a modest set of grave goods. The park organises group visits, dramatised tours and the Iberian Culture Days, with guided tours and re-enactments.
Highlights
- Only Iberian settlement moved stone by stone
- About forty houses around a central street, with walls and towers
- Two-storey house converted into a museum space
- Necropolis with six burial mounds about 400 m from the settlement
- Dramatised tours and Iberian Culture Days
Permanent exhibition
- Poblado ibérico reconstruido de El Cabo – Full-scale reconstruction of the Iberian settlement of the 5th century BC, with a two-storey house used as a museum space and a nearby necropolis with six burial mounds.
- Operated by
- Ayuntamiento de Andorra
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2.80 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2.20People aged 65 and over and pensioners, children aged 4 to 14, holders of the Carnet Joven and groups of 20 or more people |
| Children & teens | €2.20free up to age 5 · Free admission for children under 6; children aged 4 to 14 pay the reduced rate. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with disabilities. |
Free admission also for unemployed people with a stamped card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The settlement is on the slope of the San Macario hill; it can be reached on foot or by car from the centre of Andorra.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
There are two signposted routes: on foot or by car from the centre of Andorra up to the top of San Macario, or along the road towards Alloza (to about km 1.9) and then about 3 km of dirt track to the car park of the El Cabo visitor centre, which is recommended for coaches.
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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Scheduled group visits, with the option of a dramatised tour: call +34 978 843 164. On some dates there are dramatised night tours. |
