Cueva de la Excomunión o de la Moneda
Sierra de la Pila • 30550 ABARÁN
Information
History, Rock Art and Legend in the Sierra de la Pila
The Cueva de la Excomunión, also known as the Cueva de la Moneda and, according to local tradition, as the Cueva de Jaime "el Barbudo", is located in the Sierra de la Pila, within the municipality of Abarán. The site combines significant archaeological and historical heritage with a natural setting of great value, making it one of the most distinctive heritage sites in the mountain range.
The cave is associated with a long-standing tradition linking it to Jaime el Barbudo, a famous bandit from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, whom legend identifies as having used the cave as a refuge. This tradition forms part of the historical and popular memory of the area and is closely connected with the Jaime el Barbudo Route, which passes through different areas of the Sierra de la Pila.
A Discovery of Great Archaeological Importance
The cave's main heritage significance came to light in September 2005, when prehistoric rock paintings were accidentally discovered inside the cave during a heritage research and awareness-raising activity organised by the “La Carrahila” Cultural Association.
The discovery was immediately reported to the Historical Heritage Service of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, whose specialists subsequently included this rock-art site in the Regional Archaeological Inventory.
The paintings form part of the Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula, a cultural heritage ensemble declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. This recognition highlights the cultural and archaeological importance of the site.
Traces of the History of Jaime el Barbudo
Alongside the importance of the rock paintings, the cave is also associated with the historical tradition surrounding Jaime el Barbudo. Period ammunition linked to this historical context has also been found in the surrounding area, providing further evidence connecting the site with the episodes of banditry and the historical memory associated with this figure.
The combination of rock art, historical remains and oral tradition makes the Cueva de la Moneda a particularly interesting place for discovering the historical and cultural development of the area.
A Landscape Connected to the Jaime el Barbudo Route
The cave lies within the Sierra de la Pila, a mountainous area extending across the municipalities of Abarán, Blanca, Molina de Segura and Fortuna. Within the municipality of Abarán, Public Utility Forest No. 40 encompasses part of this area, including its northern and north-western slopes.
The Jaime el Barbudo Route, which runs through this territory, offers visitors the opportunity to explore the landscapes, paths and places associated with the history and legends surrounding the famous bandit, providing an interesting way to discover the natural and cultural heritage of the mountain range.
The Cueva de la Excomunión or Cueva de la Moneda therefore represents a unique meeting point between prehistory, history, legend and nature, and is a particularly valuable heritage resource for discovering and appreciating the cultural heritage of Abarán and the Sierra de la Pila.
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