The Hermit Caves of Valley of Valdegovía, located in the province of Araba, are an extraordinary example of early medieval monasticism and religious architecture. These caves, carved into limestone cliffs, were inhabited by Christian hermits between the 5th and 12th centuries, reflecting the ascetic practices of the time.
Around the 4th century, the existence of a strong ascetic movement is evidenced in the Iberian Peninsula, propelled by the Priscillianist movement, condemned by the Church and the Hispano-Roman civil authority. Generally speaking, the adherents of this way of life opposed the pomp and ostentation of the official Church at the time. The hermit sought Christian perfection in retreat, solitude, in secluded and often hard-to-reach places. These people would inhabit dwellings they themselves had excavated in the rock, hence they are known as ‘artificial caves,’ which in many cases became temples.
By the late Middle Ages, the hermit tradition declined as organized monasteries and abbeys became the primary centers of religious life. The caves were gradually abandoned, but their enduring presence remains a testament to the spiritual dedication of their former inhabitants.
Today, the Hermit Caves of Valdegovía are recognized as a cultural and historical treasure, offering insight into early medieval religious practices and architecture. 16 hermit caves has been located, specifically in the villages of Bachicabo, Barrio, Villanueva de Valdegovía, Quejo, Pinedo, Corro, and Tobillas. The most famous caves are “Cueva de los Moros”, “Cuevas de Corro” and “Cueva de Pinedo”.
Many of the caves are easily accesible by car and a short walk, they can be visited freely at any time of year and there are information panels available. Access to the caves is signposted from the road A-2622 ( BU-555 whenever in enter the nearby Burgos ) that goes from Villanueva de Valdegovía to the village of Boveda. Additionally, the Valdegovía Tourist Office organizes guides visits titled “Del eremitorio al Monasterio”. This visit explains how the first Christian monks lived and the evolution to monasteries.
