A millennial legacy hidden among canyons
Just a short distance from Alquézar, visitors can embark on a journey back thousands of years in time. The Vero River canyon and its surroundings form part of the Vero River Cultural Park, a unique area where nature and the most ancient history coexist. Here you will find some of the most important prehistoric rock art sites in Europe, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.
This remarkable enclave contains more than 60 rock shelters with prehistoric paintings, spread across canyons, cliffs and natural rock overhangs. It is an authentic open-air museum that helps us understand how the first inhabitants of this territory lived, thought and expressed themselves.
Three styles, thousands of years of history
The rock art of the Vero River includes three major artistic styles, covering a very wide chronological period:
- Palaeolithic art: naturalistic representations of animals, especially horses and deer. These are the oldest paintings and are preserved in dark, hard-to-access shelters.
- Levantine art: more recent and characteristic of the Mediterranean arc, featuring dynamic scenes of hunting, dancing and social life. Stylised human figures in motion are its most distinctive feature.
- Schematic art: more abstract figures, dots, lines and symbols, associated with the first agricultural and farming communities of the Neolithic period.
The coexistence of these styles within the same territory makes the Vero River an exceptional archaeological site, where the evolution of symbolic thought and human artistic expression can be clearly observed.
Routes and visits to discover the rock shelters
Several signposted routes allow visitors to explore some of the most important rock shelters. Many of them can be reached on foot from Alquézar or from nearby villages such as Lecina, Colungo or Bastarás. Among the most accessible and frequently visited sites are:
- Arpán Shelter: features human and animal figures in Levantine style and is one of the best-known sites.
- Mallata Shelters: impressive for their elevated location and hunting scenes.
- Trucho Shelter: the only site in Aragón with Palaeolithic paintings. Access is restricted and visits are only possible with a guide.
Visits can be done independently, although guided tours with specialists from the Cultural Park are highly recommended, as they provide valuable context and help interpret the paintings. The park also organises themed guided routes and family-friendly activities throughout the year.
Rock art interpretation centre and complementary activities
In the village of Colungo, less than 15 minutes from Alquézar, you will find the Vero River Rock Art Interpretation Centre. This interactive exhibition space is the ideal starting point for understanding the significance of this heritage. Through models, reconstructions, audiovisual material and workshops, visitors gain insight into prehistoric symbolism, painting techniques, ways of life and the natural environment of early human groups.
The centre also organises rock painting workshops, tool-making sessions and experimental archaeology activities, highly recommended for families with children or for anyone looking for an educational and hands-on experience.
A landscape that is also culture
The Vero River Cultural Park is not only important for its rock art. It is also an area of great scenic and ethnographic value. The routes connecting the shelters follow paths through canyons, holm oak forests and cultivated fields, dotted with traditional dry-stone huts and ancient agricultural terraces.
This balance between natural and cultural heritage makes the visit a truly immersive experience. As you walk these paths, it is easy to imagine life thousands of years ago in the same landscapes, under the same horizons and driven by the same need to interpret the world through art.
Discover prehistory and relax in Alquézar
Alquézar is the ideal base for exploring this valuable collection of prehistoric rock art. From the village, visitors can set out on walking routes or short drives to the nearest shelters and combine their cultural visit with nature activities, sightseeing or local gastronomy.
Hotel Villa de Alquézar offers the comfort you need to relax after a day of cultural exploration. From its terraces with views, peaceful gardens and comfortable rooms, you can unwind and plan new routes through the ancient landscapes of the Somontano region.
Book your stay, connect with the deepest roots of human history and enjoy an experience that brings together nature, art and emotion.