Altamira Cave Changes Its Official Category from Monument to Archaeological Zone
25 Jun 2026
Effective: 25 Jun 2026
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Who is affected:
Public administrations, Altamira Museum, municipalities of Santillana del Mar and Reocín
Summary
The Government reclassifies Altamira Cave as an Archaeological Zone, a category more suited to its nature, and officially defines its protection boundaries in Cantabria.
Detailed analysis
PRO
Royal Decree 531/2026 modifies the category of the Cultural Heritage Asset of Altamira Cave, changing from Monument to Archaeological Zone, a legally more precise category according to Law 16/1985 on Spanish Historical Heritage. Simultaneously, the asset and its protection perimeter are formally delimited. The cave, UN…
Full official title
Real Decreto 531/2026, de 24 de junio, por el que se modifica la categoría, de Monumento a Zona Arqueológica, y se define la delimitación de la cueva de Altamira, en Cantabria, declarada Bien de Interés Cultural.