Santimamiñe kobazuloa

Santimamiñe cave is a prehistoric limestone cave near Kortezubi in the Basque Country, Spain, notable for its Paleolithic rock art and a long archaeological sequence. The site contains parietal paintings and archaeological deposits spanning prehistoric periods.

The painted paneling includes animal figures such as bison and horses alongside other motifs, and the cave preserves archaeological layers from the Middle Paleolithic through later prehistoric periods. The art and deposits together make it one of the principal Paleolithic sites in northern Iberia.

Archaeological excavations in the 20th century revealed the multi-period sequence and documented the parietal art; subsequent conservation work has limited direct access. Management focuses on protecting the paintings and stratigraphy while allowing controlled study and guided visits.

The cave sits within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve in the municipality of Kortezubi, on the Biscay coast of northern Spain, close to the town of Gernika-Lumo.

• Restricted access: Visits are tightly controlled and often require advance booking because the cave and its paintings are protected for conservation.
• Urdaibai Biosphere: Located inside a coastal estuary landscape that is protected as a biosphere reserve, making the surrounding area ecologically significant.