Cueva de San Ambrosio

Cueva Ambrosio

Useful Information

Location:	Autopista Sur, Varadero. Northeast tip of Varadero peninsula, 7 km west of Casa DuPont, 4 km east of La Morla. (23.192731, -81.163121)
Open:	All year daily 9-16:30. [2023]
Fee:	Adults CUC 5. [2023]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	L=300 m.
Guided tours:	self guided, D=30 min.
Photography:
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	Odlanyer Hernández-de-Lara (2014): Cueva de Ambrosio: patrimonio arqueológico en una localidad rupestre de la península de Hicacos, Matanzas, Cuba, Casimba, Grupo Espeleológico Pedro A. Borrás, La Habana, Cuba.
Address:
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History

1961	discovered by Rivero de la Calle and Orlando Parient, two Cuban archaeologists.

Description

The small park called Las Salinas is named after seawater salines, which are now abandoned. In the boundaries of the park are 14 archaeological sites which are freely accessible. Only the most important cave, Cueva de San Ambrosio is closed for its protection. It contains about 47 drawings dating from the pre-Columbian era, more than 500 years ago. But there are also superimposed African-style drawings, which indicate rituals held by local slaves in these caves. The best-preserved paintings are located in the Claraboyas Room, which were made using black and red colours. The cave is illuminated by sunlight through numerous holes in teh ceiling.

In nearby caves Musulmanes-1 and Musulmanes-2 archaeologists discovered the remains of a mammal from the Jurassic (Megalognus rodens).