Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley

The Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley are a UNESCO World Heritage site in the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, inscribed on 2 December 1998. The Côa Park describes the valley as the largest known open-air collection of Palaeolithic rock art, with engravings of horses, aurochs, ibex and deer on the schist rocks along the Côa River.

In 2010, UNESCO extended the site to include the rock art of Siega Verde, across the border in Spain.

What to see in the Côa Valley

Canada do Inferno: the first rock art site discovered, near the unfinished dam, visited from the Côa Museum.
Penascosa: a site of engraved rocks by the river, visited from the reception centre of Castelo Melhor.
Ribeira de Piscos: a site of engraved rocks visited from the Côa Museum.
Côa Museum: a museum on a hill above the meeting of the Côa and the Douro, opened on 30 July 2010.

History of the Côa Valley rock art

1991: engravings are found at Canada do Inferno during studies for a dam on the Côa.
1995 and 1996: after a national debate, the government stops the dam, and the Côa Valley Archaeological Park is created to protect the engravings.
2 December 1998: UNESCO inscribes the Côa Valley rock art on the World Heritage List.
2010: the site is extended to Siega Verde in Spain, and the Côa Museum opens.

Visiting the Côa Valley

Guided tours: the rock art sites are visited only on guided tours in four-wheel-drive vehicles, booked in advance.
Light: tours run in the morning or afternoon, depending on the light that shows the engravings best, and night visits to Penascosa take place in summer.
Management: the Fundação Côa Parque manages the museum and the archaeological park.