Dolmen of the Cave of Daina (Santa Cristina d'Aro)

Near Santa Cristina d'Aro, the dolmen of Cave of Daina invites you to discover one of the most famous megalithic monuments on the Costa Brava. Dating from between 2700 and 2200 BC, it preserves a complex that allows you to learn about the funerary architecture of prehistory.

The monument is a U-shaped covered gallery, constructed of granite slabs. Its interior dimensions are 7.60 meters long, 1.70 meters wide, and 1.50 meters at its highest point. When you observe it, also take note of the remains of the artificial mound, which tends to be circular or oval, and the cromlech that were part of the complex.

The burial chamber, formed by large slabs and a roof, likely served as a collective burial site. Excavations recovered numerous highly fragmented bones and teeth of adults and children, along with grave goods.

The largest pieces were found during the excavation by Pere Cama i Casas in the 19th century. Other, smaller pieces were found during the excavation by Esteva Cruañas. These interventions allowed for the recovery of various materials that provide information about the funerary use of the monument.

Among the finds are seven flint points, knife fragments of the same material, ceramic fragments, and more than three hundred beads of steatite and callaite. Also found were plaques of fibrolite and fine sandstone, a disc-shaped piece of dark slate, and a small sheet of gold rolled into a cylindrical shape. The variety of materials adds interest to the history of the dolmen.

The site is easily accessible and surrounded by forests and trails. If you're interested in prehistoric heritage, you can spend some time here observing the structure, identifying its different parts, and relating the monument to the archaeological finds documented there.