( The entrance of the Viera Dolmen located in Antequera - Andalucia )
One of Antequeras oldest and most impressive places to visit are the Dolmens located to the west of the town, The monuments of Menga, Viera and El Romeral form one of the most outstanding megalithic sites in Europe, the Megalithic architecture can be characterised by the use of large blocks of stone to create space, mainly chambers and passages which where used for ritual and funeral proposes.
Although the Dolmens may not be visually spectacular their historic value is enormous having being built some 6.500 years ago during the Neolithic period and formed part of the first farming communities in Europe.
The Cueva de la Menga was excavated in the 19th century and is said to be the most impressive with many hundreds of skeletons being found in the inner chamber.
My personal favourite is the Tholos of El Romeral which has an impressive and beautiful main corridor of dry stone masonry covered with 11 slabs. The Dolmens like most of the other hidden historic treasures in Antequera where found by accident , in the case of the Dolmens they where discovered purely by chance by a local farmer.
Gary
