The Andalucian landscape does not have many sacred sites compared to an island like Britain, but the ones it does have are rather special. After having visited El Torcal and seen the sleeping dragon in the landscape I wanted my fix of megalithic sites. Can’t go a whole week without one! I had identified three in the area – two together and one a further mile away. Seemed like a plan to go visit them as the clouds started gathering. No sunbathing today!
Alongside the town of Antequera there are two dolmens – “Cuevas De Menga Y Viera” (Megalithic Portal link]. The Menga dolmen is reputed to be the largest in Europe. Luckily for us the site has now been fully restored and turned into a proper visitor attraction. Did I say lucky? I meant… lucky for the site. Because the restoration has been very well done. The site is clearly looked after, well visited, and protected from harm. The restoration work itself seems to have been both sympathetic and without any lavishness or unnecessary additions. I would go as far as to say it’s one of the most pleasant ancient sites to visit anywhere, and this one is on the outskirts of a busy large town – surrounded by homes, businesses and busy roads. Yet, it is given the proper space, the right restorative treatment (despite a crumbling economy), and the dolmens are free to go and see. What more could you ask? English Heritage take note!
Inside the chamber one begins to appreciate the size of the construction. Here is a plan showing the construction, and then a picture I took inside the dolmen.
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