Mixed
Paysage culturel de Risco Caido et montagnes sacrées de Grande Canarie
Espagne
Located in Gran Canaria, Spain, this cultural landscape encompasses the sacred mountains and the archaeological complex of Risco Caido, representing a significant testimony to indigenous Canarian settlement and cultural practices. The site demonstrates the integration of human settlement patterns with the natural topography of the volcanic islands, featuring cave dwellings, agricultural terraces, and ritual spaces that reflect pre-Hispanic occupation. Risco Caido itself is characterized by its cliff-face location with cave structures carved into the rock face, which served residential, storage, and ceremonial functions for the indigenous Canarii population. The sacred mountains form an integral part of the cultural landscape, holding religious and symbolic significance within the traditional cosmography of the island's ancient inhabitants. The archaeological and cultural evidence preserved at the site provides insight into pre-Hispanic island societies, their adaptation to island environments, and their spiritual beliefs. This mixed cultural and natural heritage site illustrates the long-term interaction between human communities and their landscape in the Atlantic islands.
