El Romeral Tholos

The third tomb of the Dolmens Site, and the most different: a rubble-masonry corridor leading to two chambers with a false dome, made with courses of stone that close in towards the top. It is the second enclosure of the Archaeological Site, a few kilometres from Menga and Viera, among warehouses and olive groves north of the city. It forms part of the property declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What you will see

It was discovered in 1904 by two residents of Antequera, and takes its name from the estate where it stands, El Romeral. You enter along a long corridor covered with limestone slabs. A lower opening leads to the first circular chamber, with a rounded wall and closed by a false vault topped with a large slab. A second, carefully worked doorway leads along a short corridor to another, smaller chamber, roofed in the same way, where part of a slab survives that probably served as an altar for offerings.

The difference from Menga and Viera is noticeable straight away: here small-stone masonry is combined with large slabs, and the mound that covers it is artificial, whereas in the other two a natural hillock was used. That is why it is worth seeing even if you are coming from the great dolmens.

Opening hours and admission

It has the hours and conditions of the Archaeological Site. From 21 September to 20 March it is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:00, and Sundays, public holidays and Mondays that are the eve of a holiday from 9:00 to 15:00; in spring and summer the hours change. It is closed on Mondays. Admission is included with that of the site, free with a European Union document. Animals are not allowed in. The visit lasts about half an hour.

Getting there

By car, take the A-7283 towards Córdoba and turn left at the first roundabout. By bus, line 1 goes as far as the Hospital, the nearest stop. There is parking next to the site.

It works well with children: it is short, you go inside the tomb and the false dome is impressive. Combine it with the Alcazaba or the City Museum, where the prehistory of the district has its own room.