Cova de la Rasa

Small interstitial cavity at the Fondal de Valldellós (Mediona), an eremitic-cultural nucleus with prehistoric and early Christian remains.

Mediona • Alt Penedès 12m 3m

EspeleoWorld

Cova de la Rasa

Small interstitial cavity at the Fondal de Valldellós (Mediona), an eremitic-cultural nucleus with prehistoric and early Christian remains.

Mediona · Alt Penedès

Length: 12 m · Depth: 3 m

Updated record

https://espeleoworld.com/en/c/cova-de-la-rasa

Information can change. Always verify coordinates, access, weather, and cave conditions before setting out.

Topographic map of the main entrance — Main entrance · ICGC topographic map

Small interstitial cavity at the Fondal de Valldellós (Mediona), an eremitic-cultural nucleus with prehistoric and early Christian remains.

Characteristics

Type: Cave
Municipality: Mediona
Region: Alt Penedès
Unit: Alt Penedès, l'
Length: 12 meters
Depth: 3 meters
Major Unit: Serralada Prelitoral
Lithology: Limestone
Updated on EspeleoÍndex: December 4, 2020

Location

The Fondal de Valldellós is located in Mediona. It is formed by the detachment of a limestone cliff that has created an exceptional chaos of blocks, among which a multitude of small concavities have formed, of little speleological value but of archaeological interest. The whole site is dominated by two singular elements: the needle of Valldellós, a monolith that presides over the hollow, and the pass of the thieves or of the fox, which, forming a concealed channel, allows the cliff to be easily overcome. Characterized archaeologically as an eremitic-cultural nucleus in a cave, it is a spot resulting from the decomposition and retreat of the cliff, where a collapse of blocks creates a small labyrinth of passages and dens. The Cova de la Rasa is located to the NW of the Agulla de Valldellós and a short distance from the caves of la Piràmide, Barramon and de la Boira.

Entrances

Always verify coordinates and access conditions before setting out.

Cova de la Rasa
Elevation: 610 m
41.456199, 1.618930
UTM 31T (ETRS89) 384653 4590322
Open in map Open in Google Maps

Download all entrances as GPX

Topographic

Cova de la Rasa - Topography, Mediona, Alt Penedès

View image

Click to enlarge

Espeleoindex · CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ · Image © its author.

Image 1 of 1

Photos

Cova de la Rasa - Photo, Mediona, Alt Penedès

View image

Click to enlarge

Espeleoindex · CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ · Image © its author.

Image 1 of 2

Description

Morphology

The mouth of the cavity is located in a small depression. At the bottom, between blocks, the passage turns sharply to the left. A few metres further on it becomes impenetrable.

Progression

The cavity is accessed by a small step. At the bottom, between blocks, the passage turns sharply to the left and makes another short step. A few metres further on it becomes impenetrable.

Other details

Although conditions do not appear to be favourable for permanent troglodytic habitation, numerous pieces from prehistoric times (Neolithic and Bronze Age) and from early Christian times have been collected within the small "quasi" caves that open beneath the blocks.

History

The Fondal de Valldellós is already mentioned in 1928 in an itinerary of the Centre Excursionista Rafel de Casanova (at that time it was called Fondal de Clivelleres). In 1956, Pere Giró mentions a donation of archaeological material made by Josep Lloret to the Museum of Vilafranca del Penedès. It is not until 1975 that three members of the Agrupació Excursionista Talaia (Vilanova i la Geltrú) (J. Alegret, M. Pàmies and J. Virella) rediscover the site, and from 1978 until 1986 the area was the object of an important archaeological intervention by the Associació d'Estudis Científics i Culturals de Mediona.

User Comments (0)

No comments yet.

Be the first to share your experience!

Registered Explorations (0)

No explorations registered yet.

Bibliography

Coll, J.M.; Molina, J.A.; Roig, J. (1995).- “El fondal de Valldellós (Mediona, Alt Penedès): Un nucli eremític-cultual en cova del s. V”. Miscel·lània Penedesenca (20): 169-183. Institut d'Estudis Penedesencs.
Rafecas, Eduard (1995).- Mediona. Guia d'esports d'aventura. 76 pp. Ajuntament de Mediona.