Tito Bustillo Rock Art Center. Asturias Museums

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Latitude: 43.4616432 Length: -5.0688171
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The fact that any interested person can discover this rock treasure any day of the year, converts the center into virtual access to a cave that for conservation reasons remains closed several months a year. In addition, in the center you can enjoy artistic groups that in the Cave can not be visited because of their difficult access.

Along the route through the center, which on average does not reach hour of duration, the visitor gets to know the geological origin of the cavern, who inhabited it, how they lived and how they expressed their world in the paintings; some of them of an unprecedented symbolism in the world Magdalenian. It also abounds in the contemporary discovery of this prehistoric treasure.

What can we see at the Tito Bustillo Rock Art Center?

The 1 area of the center is dedicated exclusively to Finding the paintings in 1968 and its subsequent repercussion. A complete audio-visual compiles the testimony of four of the discoverers. It also emphasizes the figure of Celestino Fernández Bustillo, who died days after the discovery and gave his name to a cave that was traditionally known as Pozu'l Ramu.

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The 2 area focuses its contents on the Ardines Massif, one of the most important karst systems of the Bay of Biscay, where, besides Tito Bustillo, there are several other caves, some of which are connected with each other and with more samples of rock art. A large audio-visual model shows us the origin, the formation of this massif and an interior plan that indicates the situation of the artistic spaces and the most outstanding geological formations.

The 3 area begins his incursion in the human group that inhabited the cave. Archaeological excavations reveal an intense occupation between the 15.000 and 11.000 years. The replicas of the most relevant pieces found in these excavations are grouped according to their vital function: to make clothing, adorn themselves, hunt, eat ... In Tito Bustillo small sculptures, decorated tools such as harpoons, spears, rods or spatulas, and platelets have been found stone engraved. This exhibition area has the support of audiovisuals where the main researchers of the Cave give testimony, including the director of the surveys: Rodrigo de Balbín Behrmann.

The 4 area deals with the main panel by Tito Bustillo, showcases and panels explain how rock art was produced and a spectacular six by two meter screen allows us to observe in detail the formation of this panel, including nuances that can not be seen in the cave.

The 5 area makes clear testimony of the nine other rock art sets that Tito Bustillo treasures and that it is not possible to visit. The three most notorious spaces have been completely recreated: the Gallery of Anthropomorphs, the Gallery of Horses and the Chamber of Vulvas. A video reflects the difficulty of access and the narrowness of the Gallery of Anthropomorphs, a set of projections allows us to see clearly the fine engravings of the Gallery of Horses, and a substantial replica of the wall of the Vulvas to figures of sexual content very rare in the known Paleolithic.

The 6 area delves into the prominence of Tito Bustillo as World Heritage, in its outstanding role in the rock art of the Cantabrian Sea and in its conservation problems. Through a large interactive table we can learn more reasons to admire this treasure that is the visible head of the Asturian Paleolithic. In this space is left record, with large replicas, unique pieces of other caves of the Principality.

En 2017 new elements have been incorporated. Among them a virtual mirror that, using video game technology, turns any visitor into a man, woman or child from Prehistory. A fun image that will appeal to young and old, who can also paint with their hands on a large touch panel that simulates a cave wall. It has also been equipped with an interactive table so that everyone can recognize the tools from the Paleolithic.

The Rock Art Center of Tito Bustillo is also a dynamic environment and through temporary exhibitions and workshops of different kinds, he wants to give a different approach to the interpretation of this heritage with didactic and recreational activities. It offers a basic offer according to season, both for individual public and personalized activities for groups and organized groups of more than 20 people with telephone reservation. Each workshop lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Tito Bustillo Art Center opening hours

· Closed from January 1 to 31, 2024.

· From February 1 to 29 and from November 1 to December 31, 2024
From Wednesday to Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 14:30 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays and opening holidays, from 10:30 a.m. to 18:00 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday closed.
Closed: December 24, 25 and 31.

· From March 1 to June 30 and from September 1 to October 31, 2024
From Wednesday to Friday, from 09:45 a.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays and opening holidays, from 09:45 a.m. to 18:30 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday, closed.

· From July 1 to August 31, 2024
From Wednesday to Sunday, from 09:45 a.m. to 19:00 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday closed.
Closed: 3 and 4 for August.

Rates Tito Bustillo Art Center

· General: 5,45 €.
· Reduced: €3,29. Groups of 20 people or more // From 4 to 11 years // Over 65 years // Large families // Accredited people with disabilities // International student card // ICOM Members // Rock Passport // Culture Club Principality of Asturias // Cultural Passport // School Card // Hosteller Card // European Youth Card // Fnac Club // Caja Rural Children's Club // “Science Museums” Passport. Northern Route » // EURO 6000 discount coupon // Association of large families of Asturias.

· Individual workshops: € 2,50.
· School workshops: € 2.
· Free: from 0 to 3 years and Teaching groups and official guides upon request (only for visits to the Center and the Tito Bustillo cave during the opening season).
· Free access day: Wednesday.

Source: Tito Bustillo Rock Art Center.