{"id":87598,"date":"2025-10-22T09:33:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T09:33:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.camping-biper-gorri.com\/non-categorise\/les-grottes-d-isturitz-et-d-oxocelhaya\/"},"modified":"2025-11-03T19:38:29","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T19:38:29","slug":"isturitz-and-oxocelhaya-caves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.camping-biper-gorri.com\/en\/blog\/isturitz-and-oxocelhaya-caves\/","title":{"rendered":"Isturitz and Oxocelhaya caves"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Published on: 31\/10\/2019<\/p>\n\n

Today, we’re taking you to the Arberoue valley<\/strong>, to visit the Isturitz<\/strong> and Oxocelhaya<\/strong> caves<\/strong> in the heart of the Basque Country<\/strong>. An astonishing journey into the bowels of the Earth, where an extraordinary atmosphere reigns. Come and discover! <\/p>\n\n

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Ornate caves on Gaztelu hill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do you like to discover unusual places? Then you’re sure to love exploring a prehistoric cave in the Basque Country<\/strong>! In Saint-Martin-d’Arberoue<\/strong>, 30 km from Le Biper Gorri campsite<\/a>, the hill of Gaztelu<\/strong> is home to the Isturitz<\/strong> and Oxocelhaya<\/strong> caves<\/strong>, considered to be one of Europe’s leading centres of prehistory and cave art. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Famous the world over, the Isturitz<\/strong> and Oxocelhaya caves<\/strong> form a 600-metre-long complex of underground galleries interspersed with chambers adorned with magnificent concretions: stalactites, stalagmites, columns and other draperies chiselled into the rock over the millennia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To complete the visit, a small museum presents a collection of Neolithic objects discovered during archaeological excavations. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about the geological history and formation of caves and concretions. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

The Isturitz cave, an emblematic prehistoric site<\/h2>\n\n

World-renowned for its archaeological wealth, the Isturitz cave<\/strong> is one of the few prehistoric sites in Europe where habitat, movable art and parietal art coexist. The famous engraved pillar in the Great Hall is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the Isturitz cave<\/strong>. Engraved on the various panels are reindeer, horses, deer, mammoths, aurochs, birds and fish… That was 17,000 years ago! <\/p>\n\n

In the 1920s, various excavation campaigns brought to light a prodigious archaeological complex spanning more than 80,000 years of human occupation. More than 10,000 prehistoric objects, some of them unique in the world, were discovered (bison figurines on sandstone plates, a Gravetian flute, decorated bone blades, a reindeer antler thruster…) Reference artifacts, these treasures are today piously preserved at the Mus\u00e9e d’Arch\u00e9ologie Nationale de Saint-Germain-en-Laye and at the Maison de la Dame de Brassempouy in the Landes region. <\/p>\n\n

The Oxocelhaya cave sanctuary<\/h2>\n\n

A geological wonder of the Basque Country<\/strong>, the Oxocelhaya cave<\/strong> is renowned for its richly decorated interior. The descent plunges visitors into an ever more enchanting setting, where nature’s most beautiful works are carefully preserved and skilfully highlighted: stalagmites, columns, draperies and stalactites rival each other in beauty and mystery. <\/p>\n\n

The Oxocelhaya cave<\/strong> is also a cave sanctuary where man has flourished since the Paleolithic period, through cave art. Visitors will discover a moving prehistoric bestiary of horses and bison, drawn or engraved on the walls. <\/p>\n\n

Themed tours<\/h2>\n\n