Where can you find buried treasure? According to legend, one can do so in La Cueva del Tesoro — one of the world’s only known “marine caves” (caves formed by water). It is currently accessible above sea level and is home to prehistoric cave paintings, with fresh water running through the space.
The cave’s Spanish nickname translates into English as “The Treasure Cave” or “The Cave of the Treasure”. During the 19th century, gold was actually unearthed in this Costa del Sol cave, which can be considered something of a national treasure in itself.
The fascinating history behind the cave and its jaw-dropping formations are great reasons for holidaymakers to book Málaga Airport private transfers that would take them to the site. It’s no wonder the 50th anniversary of the cave’s opening as a tourist attraction was recently celebrated with such gusto.
Let’s catch up on La Cueva del Tesoro’s history
As established by its geographical location in the town of Rincón de la Victoria and mineralogy, La Cueva del Tesoro (as the cave is popularly called; it is formally referred to as La Cueva de Higuerón) originally took shape in the Jurassic period.
That’s 200 million to 150 million years ago! Such a vintage lends weight to the rumour — passed down from generation to generation — that Emperor Tesufín ibn Ali, the fifth and last of the Almoravíd Dynasty’s rulers, hid his family’s treasure in the cave before his death in 1145.
The treasure was subsequently forgotten until the 17th century, when Fray Agustin de Mila y Suazo – a resident of Orán, the Algerian town where Emperor Tesufín ibn Ali had perished – wrote in a manuscript that La Cueva de Higuerón was the long-lost treasure’s official burial place.
This revelation led to several searches for the treasure. The first of these hunts to succeed was that of investigator Mañuel Laza Palacio — who, in the 19th century, found an array of archaeologically priceless artefacts, including six gold dinars (early Islamic coins in solid gold).
Why not check out La Cueva del Tesoro for yourself?
In June, Rincón de la Victoria saw local and provincial authorities come together to celebrate half a century since La Cueva del Tesoro was opened to the public.
The anniversary celebrations included live concerts by singer Diana Navarro and the Málaga Symphony Orchestra, as well as a tribute to researcher Pedro Cantalejo and Manuel Laza Palacio — masterminds behind the cave’s launch as a tourist site 50 years ago.
In 2023, the cave attracted more than 94,000 visitors, a record number. This year, a total of almost 48,000 people had entered La Cueva de Higuerón by 18th June.
If you fancy adding to the cave’s visitor tally for 2024 by coming along yourself with friends and relatives, we recommend that you diligently arrange Málaga Airport private transfers for everyone in your travelling group.
With our friendly, professional drivers and comfortable, well-maintained vehicles here at Simply Shuttles, we can take care of the transportation aspect. As La Cueva del Tesoro is only about a 20-minute road journey away from Málaga Airport, a private transfer with us can get you to your destination quickly and with the minimum of fuss.
