Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
5 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
6 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
7 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
8 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Spain Cova des Coloms
AO Edited

Cova des Coloms

The largest cave on the island of Menorca was likely the site of Iron Age rites and rituals.

Es Migjorn Gran, Spain

Added By
Krisztina Rahel Horvath
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Cova des Coloms   ndrómeda7 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Cova des Coloms   ndrómeda7 / CC BY-SA 3.0
  krisztahorvath77 / Atlas Obscura User
  krisztahorvath77 / Atlas Obscura User
  krisztahorvath77 / Atlas Obscura User
Cova des Coloms   Josep Trepat Font / CC BY-SA 2.0
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

On the island of Menorca, a path between the village of Es Migjorn Gran and the coast leads to the Cova des Coloms, the largest cave on the island. It measures about 100 meters (331 feet) deep, and the walls are about 15 meters (49 feet) wide and 24 meters (79 feet) tall.

Locals talk about the cave being a sanctuary during the Talaiotic Period, around 550-123 B.C. The Talaiotic culture emerged in the eastern Balearic Islands during the Iron Age. Archaeological excavations in the cave have uncovered ceramic pottery, bronze horns, and other artifacts, as well as human bones. It's part of the evidence that suggests the cave was once used as a burial site, and perhaps as a space for conducting rites and rituals.

This association with religious ceremonies may be why many refer to Cova des Coloms as the cathedral cave. That nickname may also stem from its size and opulence; the limestone formations recall the walls and columns that adorn the greatest places of worship. The name Cova des Coloms translates as "Pigeons Cave," for the birds that nest inside its walls.

Related Tags

Iron Age Archaeology Prehistoric Subterranean Sites Caves

Know Before You Go

Getting to Cova des Coloms isn’t easy. You can get there from the village of es Migjorn Gran or from the beach at Santo Tomás. To get to the path that goes from es Migjorn Gran to the cave, you just have to follow the main road to Ferreries and take Me-20 to es Migjorn Gran. From there, head south on Me-18. Watch for the path heading west to Cova des Coloms.

Community Contributors

Added By

krisztahorvath77

Edited By

Osage, Michelle Cassidy

  • Osage
  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

May 17, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.barcelo.com/guia-turismo/en/spain/menorca/things-to-do/cova-des-coloms/
  • https://www.menorcadiferente.com/en/cova-des-coloms/
Cova des Coloms
Barranc de Binigaus
Es Migjorn Gran
Spain
39.932875, 4.038938
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Torre d'en Galmes

Alaior, Spain

miles away

Shrine of La Mare de Déu del Toro

Es Mercadal, Spain

miles away

Poblat talaiòtic de Torrellafuda

Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Spain

Spain

Europe

Places 748
Stories 37

Nearby Places

Torre d'en Galmes

Alaior, Spain

miles away

Shrine of La Mare de Déu del Toro

Es Mercadal, Spain

miles away

Poblat talaiòtic de Torrellafuda

Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Spain

Spain

Europe

Places 748
Stories 37

Related Places

  • The outside of the cave.

    Mpika, Zambia

    Nachikufu Cave

    This fascinating cave is packed with prehistoric rock art and Stone Age tools.

  • Inside the underground mosque of Shakpak-Ata.

    Ashchimuryn, Kazakhstan

    Shakpak-Ata

    A remote, centuries-old underground mosque with a lunar aesthetic.

  • On the platform.

    Lovelock, Nevada

    Lovelock Cave

    How a bat poo mine became a major Native American archaeological site—and connections to legendary red-haired giants.

  • Ha Baroana

    Metolong, Lesotho

    Ha Baroana Cave Paintings

    The walls of this sandstone outcropping are covered with 2,000-year-old artwork.

  • Orvieto, Italy

    Pozzo della Cava

    Nine caves filled with recently-discovered archaeological finds under the houses and the streets of the most ancient district of an old town.

  • The injured woolly mammoth rock painting.

    Pimiango, Spain

    El Pindal Cave

    These primitive rock paintings include a very beloved depiction of a woolly mammoth.

  • Replica of the horse panel of the Chauvet Cave.

    Asturias, Spain

    Teverga Prehistoric Park

    See replicas of Europe's most famous cave paintings and even some of the animals that feature in the art.

  • Prehistoric painting of horses at Tito Bustillo cave.

    Ribadesella, Spain

    Tito Bustillo Cave

    A magnificent place to see authentic paleolithic cave paintings that are an astounding 33,000 years old.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.