PARK OF THE PREHISTORIC CAVES OF SERINYÀ
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The best Paleolithic site in Western Europe concerning the transition between Neanderthal and modern man.
Established in Serinyà, a town 5 km north of Banyoles, this park is the best Paleolithic site in Western Europe for the transition from Neanderthal man to modern man. In addition, it remains a major archaeological excavation area since the discovery of this site by Dr Josep Maria Corominas in 1943. It contains caves and shelters made of travertine (the local stone), which according to researchers have served as a refuge for different human populations:Homo heidelbergensis,Homo neanderthalensis andHomo sapiens - over a period ranging from the Middle Paleolithic (- 200,000 years BC) to the Metal Age (3,100 years ago). Recent studies have shown that the skull found in one of the caves, that of Mollet III, is the oldest human remains of modern man(Homo Sapiens) in Catalonia. After watching a video about the prehistory of the area, the visit begins by walking along a short path, and on this occasion one can enter some of these excavations, dug by nature and time. All in all, the visit guarantees an astonishing experience, following in the footsteps of our ancestors. Workshops are also offered on site. To complete the tour, we recommend a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Banyoles (located in the Pia Almoina premises), where many of the objects and bones found in these caves are on display.
