Please refer to your voucher for final information regarding meeting points, pick-up locations, and pick-up time
Meeting point description: Next to the newsstand. Please be at the meeting point 10 minutes before the start of the tour.(Plaza Mariana Pineda, 18009 Granada, Spain)
Know in advance:Please contact the partner to inform them of your language choiche for the tour. You'll find the instruction in your voucher
It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes and clothes
Please note that all tours require a minimum number of confirmed participants. If the minimum is not met, the tour operator will notify you in advance and offer alternatives or a full refund
Remember to bring:Your own water
The Gorafe Desert is situated in the province of Granada, within the autonomous community of Andalusia, southern Spain. It is part of a larger semi-arid region characterized by striking badlands topography, shaped by millions of years of erosion. This unique geographical location contributes to its distinctive landscape and ecological features.
Gorafe's Megalithic Park is renowned for hosting one of the highest concentrations of megalithic monuments in Europe, primarily dolmens. These are prehistoric tombs constructed from large stones, often consisting of upright stones supporting a flat capstone, forming a chamber. The park features a diverse array of these ancient burial structures, dating back to the Copper and Bronze Ages.
A megalithic site, such as Gorafe's Megalithic Park, is characterized by the presence of structures built from large, unhewn or roughly hewn stones, typically dating from the prehistoric period (Neolithic to Bronze Age). These sites often served as burial grounds, ceremonial places, or astronomical observatories, providing valuable insights into the social, spiritual, and technological advancements of early human civilizations.
The megalithic monuments in the Gorafe region date primarily from the Copper and Bronze Ages, roughly between 2500 and 1800 BCE. They represent the burial practices and territorial markers of early agricultural communities. These structures highlight a sophisticated understanding of engineering and a rich spiritual life among prehistoric inhabitants, offering a tangible link to ancient societies in Andalusia.
The Gorafe region's landscape is distinguished by its dramatic badlands formations, characterized by deep ravines, gullies, and arid plateaus. This semi-desert environment, with its distinctive red and ochre-colored earth, has been sculpted over millennia by wind and water erosion, creating a visually striking and rugged terrain. It offers a stark yet beautiful backdrop for the ancient megalithic sites found there.
Guadix is celebrated for its deep historical roots, recognized as one of Spain's oldest continuously inhabited settlements. Its history spans thousands of years, with evidence of Iberian, Roman, Visigothic, and Moorish occupation. The city is particularly famous for its troglodyte dwellings, or cave houses, many of which are still inhabited today, showcasing a unique and enduring form of human adaptation to the environment.
At Gorafe's Megalithic Park, visitors can explore a vast outdoor archaeological landscape featuring over 200 dolmens, or ancient burial chambers. The park offers guided routes and informational panels that explain the history and significance of these prehistoric monuments. It provides an opportunity for walking amidst the striking badlands scenery while discovering remnants of early human history and culture.
A visit to Guadix highlights centuries of human history, from ancient Iberian and Roman influences to Moorish heritage, particularly known for its unique cave dwellings. In contrast, Gorafe focuses on the much older prehistoric periods, specifically the Copper and Bronze Ages, through its extensive collection of megalithic dolmens. Together, these two locations offer a comprehensive journey through different pivotal eras of human settlement and civilization in Spain.