A 6,000-year-old dream come true for Antequera’s dolmens

FOLLOWING an intense campaign, the UNESCO has approved an application for the dolmens of Antequera to be named a World Heritage Site.

The acknowledged site includes the dolmens of Menga and Viera, the tholos of El Romeral and the nearby Peña de los Enamorados hill and El Torcal nature areas and has become the fifth megalithic monument group to be included on the UNESCO list and the first in continental Europe.

“It’s a very happy moment and my first words must be of thanks and congratulations to the people of Antequera, who have worked through time to preserve and conserve this heritage,” said Junta de Andalucia regional government Culture delegate Rosa Aguilar after hearing the news.

Antequera Mayor Manuel Baron thanked everyone who had supported the campaign and said: “Thanks for making this 6,000-year-old dream come true.”

The local site was just one of 29 being discussed this week at a UNESCO committee meeting in Istanbul.