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History |
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A cave with history The cave is located in the Concejo de Astiz area and was used by shepherds as a mountain refuge for centuries, as shown by archaeological excavations (remains from the Early Iron Age (900-200 B.C.) have been found in the cave mouth). Written documents from the earliest known Larraun Town Hall land register dating from 1908 show the cave with the name Endroquillo. Although local people have always known about the cave, few dared go beyond the antechamber. However, although the Principe de Viana speleology group made the first "official" inspections in 1955, it wasn't until 1967 that Isaac Santesteban drew up the first partial maps of the cave. In 1974, Carlos Acaz (the Navarre Government surveyor) and Conchi Mendive continued with the work started by Isaac and finished mapping the cave. At the start of the decade the Navarre Government ordered the cave mouth to be walled up to avoid vandalism and the theft of geological formations. |
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The cave today In early 2001, when the cave had been closed for twenty years, it was decided to adapt the cave for tourism and work started in late 2003. The work was completed in July 2005 and the first visitors were welcomed on July 22nd. |
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