The rock art at Siega Verde spans a chronological range from the Gravettian to the Magdalenian periods.
The site was only officially recognized and documented by archaeologists starting in 1988.
It is part of a transboundary prehistoric art complex shared between Spain and Portugal along the Águeda and Côa rivers.
Many of the figures are engraved on schist, a metamorphic rock that has remained remarkably resistant to weathering over millennia.
The artistic style involves deep incisions, a contrast to the finer engravings found in many subterranean caves.
Some depictions represent animals that were extinct or migrated from the region shortly after the end of the Ice Age.
The site provides critical evidence of the symbolic behavior of humans living in the Iberian interior during the late Pleistocene.
Siega Verde is an open-air Paleolithic archaeological site containing an extensive collection of rock engravings dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period. Located on the banks of the Águeda River, the site features over 600 animal figures and abstract signs carved into schist rock outcrops. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010 as an extension of the Côa Valley site in Portugal. The engravings were discovered by accident in 1988 and are considered one of the most important examples of open-air Paleolithic art in the Iberian Peninsula. The site showcases imagery including horses, aurochs, deer, and bison, created using percussion and abrasion techniques. Visitors traverse a dedicated trail that follows the river's edge, providing direct views of the rocky outcrops where the art is preserved. The archaeological area is managed by the Siega Verde Foundation, which facilitates guided tours to ensure the protection and interpretation of the petroglyphs.
The viewing platforms located at the main clusters of the most well-preserved animal engravings.
Book a guided tour in advance, as the site is accessible only through guided visits.
Wear comfortable, sturdy footwear suitable for walking on uneven, rocky, and potentially slippery terrain.
Carry water and sun protection, as the open-air site offers very little natural shade.
Do not attempt to visit the site without a reservation or outside of the designated visitor path.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year; operates with varying seasonal capacity.
Do not touch the engravings; maintain a respectful distance to preserve the delicate prehistoric surfaces.
