Santiponce Itálica

Heritage

An immense legacy waiting to be discovered

Dolmen of Matarrubilla

1631
2

The Valencina Archaeological Zone is located in the highest part of the Aljarafe of Seville, extending beyond its boundaries to the neighboring town of Castilleja de Guzmán. Its extension of more than 400 hectares makes it one of the largest settlements of the third millennium BC. Judging by the quantity and magnitude of the megalithic constructions, Valencina must have been a great economic, social and ritual centre at the time.

Discovered in the late 19th century, it has been subjected to numerous archaeological excavations that have brought to light constructions of the primitive settlement such as huts, silos and moats, but also monumental funeral constructions that have proven it to have been one of the main focuses of megalithic activity on the peninsular and a true focal point during the 3rd millennium B.C.

One of the most striking features is the uniqueness of some of the constructions of the necropolis, such as the tumuli that cover structures of several tens of metres, such as the Dolmen of La Pastora and that of Matarrubilla, which in turn are surrounded by numerous and varied structures that form a unique funerary landscape.

The tholos of Matarrubilla, south of Valencina, has a long corridor that ends in a circular chamber where the most striking feature is a large stone monolith believed to have been an offertory basin or table. As in the case of La Pastora, this probably also gives it a special ceremonial significance, since given its size the basin must have been placed before the completion of the construction of the walls and the roof, therefore being a key element in the design of the monument.

Opening times

All year round from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, with prior reservation.

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