The Caves of l’Espluga de Francolí: a fascinating journey into the heart of prehistory and geology
Located beneath the urban center of l’Espluga de Francolí, the Caves of l’Espluga are a true gateway to the geological and prehistoric past of our country. This underground system, carved into conglomerate rock, features over 3,600 meters of mapped galleries, making it one of the longest caves in the world formed in this type of rock.
Speleological explorations that began in 1956 have allowed detailed knowledge of this impressive network of cavities, which has been inhabited by humans since the Paleolithic, as evidenced by numerous archaeological finds inside.
One of the most remarkable discoveries was made on October 30, 2019, when a team from the IPHES (Catalan Institute of Paleoecology and Social Evolution) found a Paleolithic sanctuary with over 300 engravings, some dating back more than 36,000 years. This site is considered the oldest discovered so far in Catalonia, representing a key milestone in the country’s archaeological research. Although it is not open for direct visits, it can be explored through a captivating audiovisual presentation included in the guided tour.
Visits to the caves are always guided and offer an immersive journey through the different stages of prehistory, accompanied by explanations about the geological formation of this impressive natural space. A unique experience to discover how life was thousands of years ago and to understand the evolution of our territory from its depths.
For the most daring visitors, the caves offer the adventure route, a visit beyond the museum up the underground river.
