3341 cave sites with descriptions, surveys, entrance and underground pictures.
Updated: Jan 2010.
Cave search
Updated: Dec 2009
Matienzo maps and aerial photos
Archaeological remains in over 70 caves.
Cantabrian government site.
Contacts for information about the caves, web site, expeditions, etc.
The history of cave exploration around Matienzo.
Matienzo flowers & trees (ppt file)
Cave conservation
Selected photos of
cave passage and formations around Matienzo
Links to scientific work
Maps and photos about Spain and
Cantabria.
Surface photos from around Matienzo
Travel, accommodation & Matienzo weather
Other caving pages
Matienzo bibliography and
Spanish-English caving dictionary
The Google Group
for Matienzo Caves
Expedition details
Background reading & general interest
• Quarry / cantera
• Wind farms / parques eólicos
Speleology
in Matienzo - updated November 2009
The 26km2 enclosed depression of Matienzo is about 30km south
east of Santander in northern Spain. The imperviously-floored valley is
surrounded by limestone hills with water resurging into the basin at a number
of points and sinking at the northern end. Notable caves are included in
the 3341 documented sites, e.g. The Four Valleys
System (over 52km long), Cueva Vallina
(31.7km) and the almost-linked South Vega System
(over 31.4km). There are also numerous sites of
archaeological interest, with extensive Iron Age
deposits.
A major Spanish caving expedition took place in the summer of 1964 and
British-led caving expeditions have been occuring up to 3 or 4 times a year
since the late 60‘s. The amount of known cave passage in the area
has risen from some five or six km to over 302km (Jan 2010). On average,
three to five kilometres of cave are found each year, although in 1989, 2008 and 2009 over 15km, 13km and 14.8km respectively was surveyed. Collaboration with
Spanish groups has resulted in new cave exploration. An area map shows the major caves.
Permission to explore is given by the Cantabrian government and Spanish
speleological authorities within both geographical (about 94km2)
and time limits. Good relations are kept with the villagers, the caving
authorities, and other spanish caving groups. We have the support of the
Ghar Parau Foundation which recommended UK Sport grants of £600 in 2001
and £750, £200 and £400 annually to 2004 and £450, £250
in 2006, £300 in 2007 and 2008, and £400 in 2009.
During the expeditions, many cavers camp in the field behind
German's
Bar. The restaurant is a computing and drawing up area.
Hostel accommodation is available
in the village,
at Bar Tomás in Ogarrio ((0034) 942 641120) and the Restaurante Pension
Anjana near Ramales.
If you have photos, cave descriptions or other information to contribute please get in touch.
