We drove 50 minutes to Antequera Wednesday. We'd been there before (click
here and
here) but hadn't explored the World Heritage Site, Bronze Age burial mounds outside the city.
Created between 3000 and 2000 BCE, these "dolmens" are the largest in Europe. When "Dólmen de Menga" was opened in the 19th century, several hundred skeletons were found. Just beyond it is Dolmen de Viera.
A bit further from town is the Dólmen del Romeral. It's newer, dating back to 'only' 1800 BCE. When we arrived at the entrance path, it was swarming with bees. I'm allergic and I didn't have an EpiPen, so I decided to stay clear.
San Geraldo walked through the bees and went inside. He came out and told me that I really had to see this one because it was so different. He said the bees didn't seem to be bothering anyone. No way, I thought. "No way," I said. I refused to take the chance.
But then I said, "Antequera Hospital is just 5 minutes away. OK."
Inside was wonderful. I was so grateful to have risked tit — especially since I didn't get stung by the largish, blackish bees. Maybe some kind of Carpenter Bee? They were frenetic. A couple bounced off my bare arms as I passed, but they weren't at all aggressive.
I feel so brave. And yet, today I think I should pick up a new EpiPen.
(Click the images to see them swell to twice their size... at least.)
 |
| VISITOR CENTER AT LEFT. SAN GERALDO IN THE LEAD. |
 |
THE TRAIL. DOLMEN DE MENGA IN CENTER.
I LAGGED BEHIND TO TAKE PHOTOS. |
 |
I THOUGHT THOSE WERE SAN GERALDO'S BUNS, SO I FOLLOWED.
BUT, THIS GUY WASN'T GOING ANYWHERE. |
 |
| DOLMEN DE MENGA. |
 |
| SOME OF THE MEGALITHS INSIDE. |
 |
| IT LOOKED BOTTOMLESS TO ME. SO GLAD IT WAS COVERED. |
 |
| SAN GERALDO HEADING BACK OUT. |
 |
| DOLMEN DE VIERA. |
 |
SAN GERALDO IS ALREADY INSIDE.
(TO STAY OUT OF THE WAY OF MY CAMERA.) |
 |
| SAN GERALDO BACK OUTSIDE. |
 |
| ON HIS WAY THROUGH THE PARK AND BACK TO THE CAR. |
 |
DOLMEN DEL ROMERAL, ALSO CALLED THOLOS DE EL ROMERAL,
FOR THE DOUBLE-DOMED STYLE OF THE BURIAL MOUND. |
 |
| THE PATH AND ENTRY WERE ASWARM WITH BEES. |
 |
PEACEFUL AND SURPRISING INSIDE.
THE PORTAL LEADING TO THE TWO DOMES. |
 |
LOOKING INTO THE (BARRED) SECOND CHAMBER.
THAT'S A ROUND MIRROR SET UP TO REFLECT THE SECOND DOME. |
Good to not die. The dolmens look fascinating.
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteI'm pleased to still be alive. So much amazing history.
You win the blogging prize today for "were aswarm with". Congratulations. ;)
ReplyDeletePLUS, this stuff is so cool!!!
Does having the car make these occasional day trips more approachable?
Judy:
DeleteI'm so excited. I never win anything! Yes, having the car has really changed our experience. So much easier to explore and we love spur-of-the-moment.
Yes, definitely buy a new epipen! Very neat. That new car sure is giving you guys more freedom to get around.
ReplyDeleteCheapchick:
DeleteThe car is great to have now. We're going to start exploring more of the nature trails, which are difficult to get to via public transport.
pix #3 - YES PLEASE!
ReplyDeleteanne marie:
DeleteI'll have to provide a shot from the front. He was surprisingly perky.
I'd love to see that in person. The only burial mound I've been in was West Kennet Long Barrow in England, near Silbury Hill and Avebury. Such ancient energy!
ReplyDeleteDebra:
DeleteI had never seen anything like this. And I'm especially glad to have gone inside the last one.
So glad you risked it and went inside the second Dolmen. Beautiful place. But please get another EpiPen Mitchell!
ReplyDeleteCat Lover:
DeleteYeah, I still need to pick up that EpiPen.
Absolutely fascinating, Mitch! I would imagine the energy inside these Dolmen was almost palpable.
ReplyDeleteI thought the very first photo was a hat of some sort!....till I saw it again at the end.
Jim:
DeleteIt took us a moment to figure out that that was a mirror. It looked like a round painting.
Fascinating. I've visited similar places in Turkey but nothing as elaborate as your pictures.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteI had no idea what to expect. Fascinating. And the park and visitor center at the site of the first two dolmens were beautiful.
I'd never heard of these before so thanks for the lesson and the tour, but yes, I, too, would have followed Bare Buns Man, whether he went anywhere or not!
ReplyDeleteBob:
DeleteI mentioned in another response that I'll have share a photo of Bare Buns Man from the front. You'd probably give him a different name.
Oh but I love stuff like this!
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteSo do I. Just incredible to consider that this was created by people more than 4,000 years ago.
Wow... I love this sort of thing many thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWillym:
DeleteA pleasure, although you would have done a much better job explaining the history!
Wow, these are really amazing!!
ReplyDeleteKnatolee:
DeleteAnd less than an hour away.