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Archaeological site · Valdemoro-Sierra

Los Casares

Los Casares is a pre-Roman settlement in the municipality of Valdemoro-Sierra, with a rock-cut structure covered by two slabs, terraces and carved steps. Some researchers have proposed it as an oracular sanctuary, where people slept beside a buried hero to receive prophetic dreams; others urge caution until the study is published.

Municipality
Valdemoro-Sierra
  • Los Casares
  • Valdemoro-Sierra
  • Celtiberians
  • Sanctuary
  • Oracle
  • Hypogeum

A chamber in the rock

In Valdemoro-Sierra, beside a pre-Roman settlement, is a rock-cut structure covered by two large slabs, with two terraces and carved steps. Fernández Nieto interpreted it as a heroon: the tomb of a person elevated to heroic status, where incubatio was practised, sleeping beside the hero to receive an answer in dreams. In his description, the complex included a cave, a spring and a rock shelter.

An open hypothesis

The proposal has been widely cited. Montero Herrero counts Los Casares among the oracular sanctuaries of Celtic Hispania, and Almagro Gorbea includes it among the evidence for incubatio. Marco Simón warns that, if confirmed, it would be a ritual site of great interest, but urges caution until the announced study is published. Neither its function nor its date has been proved.

Plan your visit

Before you travel

It has no visitor facilities. Ask in the village and do not enter the chamber.

Combine with

La Balsa de Valdemoro-Sierra.

Frequently asked questions

Was it a sanctuary?

This is a hypothesis. Fernández Nieto proposed a heroon with incubatio, ritual sleep beside a hero; Montero includes it among the oracular sanctuaries of Celtic Hispania, and Marco Simón urges waiting for the full study to be published.

Carry on from here

Lands and landscapes

From here, follow the memory of the land

These readings connect Los Casares with the stories, the work and the villages around it.

This place through time

Which eras you can read here

A single place can keep traces of several periods. These layers connect what you see with the atlas's stories.

Where it is

Location of Los Casares Alcalá de la VegaArcos de la SierraBeamudBonichesBuenache de la SierraCampillos-ParavientosCampillos-SierraCañada del HoyoCañeteCarboneras de GuadazaónLa CiervaCuencaFuentesHuélamoHuérguinaHuerta del MarquesadoLaguna del MarquesadoLas MajadasPajarónPajaroncilloPalomeraPortillaSalinas del ManzanoSalvacañeteTejadillosTragaceteUñaValdemecaValdemorillo de la SierraValdemoro-SierraVillalba de la SierraZafrillaArcas PNSC-S5: Subida al Castillo de HuélamoPNSC-S8: Fuente de La Ardilla-Estepares (Micológico)PR-CU 105: Sendero de la casa de CuraPR-CU 108: Monteagudillo y el embalse de la TobaPR-CU 109: Vuelta a la ModorraPR-CU 112: Beamud - Molino de Juan RomeroPR-CU 113: Ruta cicloturista de ZafrillaPR-CU 16: Sendero de la fuente del TejoPR-CU 20: Ruta de los CastillosPR-CU 21: Ruta de la fuente de MarimingoPR-CU 29: Ceñajo de Los Calatrava, Peña Rubia y Las TorcasPR-CU 37: Sendero del Escalerón y La RayaPR-CU 38: Sendero de los ArroyosPR-CU 39: sendero de la VegaPR-CU 66: El Rodenal de BonichesPR-CU 7: Ruta del MasegarPR-CU 83: Sendero de las LagunasPR-CU 87: Sendero de la Cañada Real de los ChorrosPR-CU 88: Sendero de la Colada del Barranco de la PalancosaSendero interpretativo de la laguna del MarquesadoSL-CU 15: Sendero de la Laguna del Marquesado Valdemoro-Sierra
In colour, the municipality. The place does not yet have a verified location, so no point is drawn. Municipal boundaries: © IGN (CC BY 4.0). Route lines: simplified official tracks; source and GPX on each page.
Where the data on this page come from

«Source consulted»: the primary source has been read. «Reference located»: the source has been identified but not yet read. «Open question»: the figure needs confirmation.