The dolmens of Antequera are gallery graves constructed almost 4.000 to 5.000 years ago. They are characterised by large stone blocks, the so-called megaliths. In Antequera there are three of these megalithic complexes: the Tholos of El Romeral and the Dolmens of Menga and Viera which are just 1.7 kilometres far away from the Tholos. On July 15, 2016 they were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The first tomb we visit is the Dolmen de Viera. A long, narrow corridor leads into the tomb. The tomb is located under a mound of earth and consists of a passage which is about two metres high, 1.3 metres wide and 20 metres long and which is facing east-southeast. In June, at dawn, for one week the corridor is illuminated by the rays of the sun. The walls of the corridor are made of megaliths. It is believed that there were originally 16 of these stone blocks on each side of the passage. However, only 14 megaliths remain on the left and 15 on the right side. At the end of the corridor there is a 1.60 meter wide burial chamber. The construction of the dolmen is impressive. The megaliths are connected seamlessly.
Just a few metres far away there is the "Dolmen de Menga". It differs in its construction from the Dolmen de Viera. It is wide and high. The megalithic ceiling weigh up to 180 tons and the 31 stone blocks surrounding the dolmen weigh around 1.600 tons. There is no scientific consensus whether this Dolmen was actually used as a burial place or as a meeting place.
The last Dolmen "Tholos de El Romeral" in Antequera is two kilometres away from the first two dolmens. It is surrounded by fields. The best way to get there is by car. There are a lot of parking lots. From the car park to the dolmen it is about 40 metres. With a height of 1,95 metres and a width of 1,50 metres, the passage into the Tholos de El Romeral is very narrow. But it is long. It leads 26 metres into the hill. At the end of the passage there is a circular burial chamber. It has a diameter of 5.20 metres and a height of 3.75 metres. In it an altar stone as well as remains of bones and old grave gifts were found. Behind the burial chamber there is another chamber. However, you are not allowed to enter it. A grid prevents access. However, it is possible to visit the chamber through the grate. Science assumes that the dolmen Tholos de el Romeral was built 1.000 years after the dolmens Menga and Viera. (Editor/Photos/Video: Michael Trampert)
Access to the Dolmen Information Centre.
The solar center of Michael Hoskin.
Access to the dolmen de Viera.
The corridor leading to the burial chamber.
The burial chamber in the Dolmen de Viera.
View from the dolmen de Viera to the outside.
The Dolmen de Menga.
The interior of the Dolmen de Menga.
The access area to the Dolmen Tholos de El Romeral.
Access to the "Tholos de El Romeral".
The passage leading to the burial chamber of "Tholos".
Behind the first burial chamber, there is another chamber.
