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- More Of Europe's Notable 'Stonehenges' To Discover
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Spain, a peninsula-based nation in Europe, has a population that is descended from many ethnic groups. Celtic people, Carthaginians, eastern Mediterranean Phoenicians, and the Germanic Visigoth group all had an impact on the rich Spanish culture. However, the biggest influence on the cultural development of Spain was exerted by the Romans and later by the Muslims from North Africa.
The splendor of a caliph's palace, the delight of days spent sunbathing on Mediterranean beaches, the staccato stamp of a flamenco dancer's heels, and the reverent silence of pilgrims entering the church in Santiago de Compostela after weeks of walking El Camino. These kinds of tourist attractions, which reflect Spain's rich history, interesting culture, and alluring natural beauty, will help tourists discover the essence of the nation. Spain radiates a lively vitality and a mesmerizing fusion of the past and present, from the busy streets of La Plaza Mayor in Madrid and La Rambla in Barcelona to the magnificent forest of columns and Moorish arches fading into the stillness of Córdoba's Great Mosque in one of the most historic cities.
In addition, there are a number of national and natural parks with distinctive natural settings, stunning mountains, including numerous peaks over three thousand meters high, and marvelous beaches hiding submerged ruins such as The Dolmen of Guadalperal or Spain’s Stonehenge.
UPDATE: 2023/02/11 18:05 EST BY AARON SPRAY
More Of Europe's Notable 'Stonehenges' To Discover
While the Dolmen of Guadalperal in Spain is very impressive, it is not even the largest Neolithic stone circle to be found on the Iberian Peninsula. This article was updated and expanded with more information about some of Europe's other impressive Neolithic circular stone structures to discover.
Flashback To The History Of The Spanish Stonehenge
One of Extremadura's most significant Paleolithic sites is the region around Peraleda. Numerous prehistoric ruins have been discovered here, and today they are on show in numerous museums around Spain and the rest of the world.
Around Peraleda and the adjacent settlements, there are a few old vertically placed stones that often support a flat rock called dolmens.
The Dolmen of Guadalperal, also called "the Spanish Stonehenge" by the international press after making headlines in nearly every nation in the globe in 2019, is without a question the monarch of these structures.
Even though they are widely dispersed throughout Western Europe, nothing is known about who built them. As a result of the discovery of human remains in or close to several, the dolmens are referred to as the single-chambered tombs that are frequently linked to religious rituals with exact sun observations.
The one that just emerged in Spain is of comparative age to its Celtic relative on the Salisbury Plain in England.
A ring of quartzite measuring 117 feet (35.66 meters) in diameter surrounds 144 standing stones made of jagged granite, several of which are no longer standing. This is all that is left of the Guadalperal complex.
A large capstone put in a tumulus, or mound of soil and pebbles, was buttressed by stones, or menhirs, some of which stood as tall as 6 feet (1.82 meters).
How Did The Spanish Stonehenge Appear?
Rural Spain has been devastated by the nation's worst drought in thousands of years, but one unexpected outcome has delighted archeologists: the discovery of the Neolithic Stonehenge in a dam whose waterline has receded.
Consequently, The Dolmen of Guadalperal has surfaced every July since it was discovered anew in the summer of 2019, only to be submerged by the lake once more every September.
In 2022, authorities claimed that the water level had decreased to 28% of capacity in the Valdecanas reservoir in the central province of Caceres, where it is presently entirely exposed.
Archeologist Enrique Cedillo of Madrid's Complutense University is one of the specialists rushing to investigate the circle before it is submerged once again. He was surprised and enjoyed this unique occasion to be able to visit the landmark.
In 1926, Hugo Obermaier, a German archeologist, was the first one to find the Spanish Stonehenge, but in 1963, as part of a rural development project during Francisco Franco's dictatorship, the region was submerged.
Different local and tourism organizations claim the necessity to relocate The Guadalperal stones to a museum or another location on dry land for better preservation.
Visitors Can See The Spanish Stonehenge During Droughts
This dry season has its advantage and disadvantage. In fact, Ruben Argentas runs a small boat excursion company. It transports visitors daily to the site, and its numbers are increasing considerably during this time.
There is not much good news for the local farmers, though. Since the spring, there has not been enough rain, so they have had to bring the animals in because there is not any water for them.
According to research, the Iberian Peninsula is currently at its driest point in 1,200 years, and winter showers are predicted to become even less frequent.
Nevertheless, even if witnessing the dolmen on dry land is an uncommon sight, it often emerges from the water once or twice a year and is generally seen almost every summer. Visitors can now book their trip to see it and by boat is the best way to view it.
Other Impressive Neolithic Stonehenge To Discover Around Europe
There are plenty of Neolithic Stonehenge-like structures to be found all around Europe. Some of the most impressive Neolithic ruins with a 'Stonehenge' and the oldest village in Europe are found in Scotland's remote Orkney Islands.
One country that has a 'stonehenge' even older than England's famous Stonehenge is Portugal within its Cromlech of the Almendres. This is one of the best preserved 'stonehenges' in Europe as well as the largest in the Iberian Peninsula. Like the Stonehenge of Spain, the Cromlech of the Almendres is not on many tourist itineraries and is largely unknown and free to visit.
Age Of The Famous European Stonehenges:
- The Cromlech of the Almendres: Circa. 6,000 BC (Oldest Phase) - Portugal
- Standing Stones of Stenness: Circa. 3,100 BC - Scotland
- Dolmen of Guadalperal: Circa. 2,000-3,000 BC - Spain
- Stonehenge: From Circa. 3,100 BC - England
- Arctic Henge: Under construction - Iceland
The actual Stonehenge of England is the most famous of the circular Neolithic stone structures (here called "Stonehenge"). It really is a must for anyone visiting England with an interest in history.
If one is planning to visit Iceland should also consider visiting Iceland's very impressive "Arctic Henge" under construction as a nod to the island's pagan heritage.