Valeron Granary, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

 Cenobio de Valeron at Santa Maria de Guia, on Gran Canaria, Canary Islands.

This cave complex is known as Cenobio de Valeron or the Valeron Granary. The man made caves are the largest pre-Hispanic collective granary built before Roman times and used by the island’s inhabitants until the conquest of the island at the end of the 15th century.

The site is also known as Valeron’s Monastery. The name monastery comes from the Roman belief that young noble women came here to live until they were married. It was only in the 20th century that an archaeologist realised the real use, as the cavities were similar to those in north Africa etc. The granary is one of Gran Canaria's most iconic archaeological sites.

The caves are located on a steep hill overlooking a steep ravine, and hidden from the sea it was an excellent natural fortress. View of the caves from the road, in the centre of the photo behind the tall rock , and looking back from the site -

Close up of other caves in the hill by the road -

From the ticket office steps lead up the hill and there are various notice boards and panels.

A cave showing items used by the people -

The caves were dug in the tuff using stone picks and wood tools. The cavities were excavated into the ground and along the walls of several galleries. The complex contains around 298 compartments with surfaces between 1-3 m2 and on 8 levels. They were used to store grain and foodstuffs. There are more than 350 storage places.

Looking  up at the main complex -

By the 20th century historians had discredited the idea that the caves were used as a monastery and suggested they were used as a communal grain store -

Steps up the cliff can still be seen - 

The cave walls are smooth so that no grain was wasted. The caves were shut with doors, probably made from wood. 

Surprisingly there were no pigeons roosting, the guide mentioned a high pitched hum (that we couldn’t hear) that is supposed to detract them.

The site was declared a Resource of Cultural Interest in 1978. 

See Caves of Valeron on Wikipedia.