Looking down into the dolmen from the earth mound
The sun just behind the largest stone in the construction
Looking back to the entrance from the centre of the dolmen
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The Dolmen at Lacara
Information This very easy and short walk goes from a small, shaded and natural car park to the Dolmen at Lacara. It is the largest dolmen in Extremadura and it can be found in open countryside little changed in millennia. The area is a granite peneplain with abundant rock for such an ambitious construction. It must have taken many people and great combined strength to build. The dolmen is impressive with the vestibule and entrance clearly visible. A granite-lined corridor topped with massive lintels leads to the burial chamber. A circular wall was built around the monument and the space between the monument and the wall was filled with pebbles from the nearby Lacara stream bed. Everything was ultimately covered with earth and formed a mound nearly 7m high and measuring 35m by 28m. Clearly visible, the dolmen was a symbol of prestige for the living and respect for the dead. It is approximately 4,000 years old and was used for more than 1,000 years. Artefacts found in the dolmen and the immediate area can be seen in the Archeological Museum in Badajoz -- N38 52' 56.38" W06 58' 05.82" This little walk is to encourage everyone to make the diversion and go and see something really special. Start: the car park off the EX214 between Aljucen and La Nava de Santiago Finish: back at the start Time: 2 hours to see everything Distance: 2 kilometres Elevation: lowest 256m, highest 267m Difficulty: very low Route: circular — map by Google Directions If coming from Aljucen the car park is on the left. If coming from La Nava de Santiago it is on the right. Car park. N 39º 03’ 18.90” W 06º 25’ 34.31” Walk towards the gateway at the top of the car park and go through the obstacles put in place to stop cars and motorised vehicles from using the track. Walk along the wide earth track. The track goes up and down in places but it not difficult. Ocassionaly there are deep ruts in the track where rains have eroded the surface over ages but the track is wide enough for these not to be a problem. Continue on the track for just under 1km enjoying the countryside as you walk. At stages there are information boards describing how the countryside looked at the time of the building of the dolmen; approximately 4,000 years ago. Arrive at the dolmen where there are further information boards and an opportunity to go inside the dolmen and to walk around it but, take care. In true Spanish style there are no safety rails anywhere. There is a picnic area with granite seating. Please take all rubbish home. Dolmen N 39º 02’ 59.59” W 06º 25’ 15.49” Photos: January and March |