Cueva de Cambriles

Cueva de Cambriles is a hidden cave tucked into the Los Morrones rock massif, close to the village of Ladruñán in the municipality of Castellote, in the Maestrazgo region of Teruel province. It isn't famous for rock formations or paintings — it's known for a dramatic chapter of Spanish Civil War history, making it one of the most moving civilian refuges in Aragon.

How was the cave discovered?

A shepherd from Ladruñán, Domingo Folch, noticed an eagle repeatedly returning to the same spot on the cliff face carrying prey. Following the bird, he found the entrance to a much larger chamber than anyone in the area knew existed. That discovery, made around the late 1920s or early 1930s, would prove critical only a few years later.

What happened here during the Civil War?

Between 1936 and 1938, the cave sheltered people fleeing persecution from the Republican side — residents from Ladruñán, Alcorisa, Alcañiz, Dos Torres, Santolea and nearby towns. Those hiding organized themselves into a secret society called "La Caverna," complete with its own leadership: Vidal Royo Iranzo as president, Domingo Folch (the cave's discoverer) as vice-president, and Aniceto Brea as secretary. They kept a daily log, drew up internal rules, and assigned tasks — running something close to a small hidden community for well over a year. Evacuations of successive groups began in autumn 1937 as the front lines shifted.

What will you see inside?

The interior is a network of several chambers linked by a narrow, difficult entrance passage — that difficulty of access was precisely what kept the refuge safe for so long. Inside, you can still find an underground cistern that once held around 3,000 liters of water collected from natural seepage in the rock, along with the remains of latrines and the wooden platforms people slept on. After the war, a small chapel holding a statue of the Virgin of Pilar was placed at the cave entrance as a memorial to what happened there.

How do you get to Cueva de Cambriles?

The cave sits in a remote, partly concealed rocky area of Los Morrones, near Ladruñán, part of the municipality of Castellote. Reaching it means following mountain trails typical of the Maestrazgo — the terrain is rocky and uneven, so proper hiking boots and extra time for the approach are worth planning for. The surrounding landscape combines this historical weight with the classic scenery of the Teruel highlands: limestone cliffs, ravines and sweeping valley views.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, with mild temperatures across the Maestrazgo and trails that aren't baking under summer sun. Summers in this part of Teruel can get quite hot, making the rocky approach harder going, while winter rain can leave the paths slippery.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cueva de Cambriles an officially marked tourist site? Its value is primarily historical, tied to Civil War events, and it's known locally as a memorial site rather than a formal attraction — it's worth checking the current trail conditions in Ladruñán or Castellote before setting out.

How many people hid in the cave? Accounts vary, ranging from a couple dozen to over a hundred people from Ladruñán and surrounding towns, who took refuge there at different points between 1936 and 1938.

Are there still visible traces from that period inside the cave? Yes — the water cistern, remnants of the wooden sleeping platforms and latrines, and the memorial chapel at the entrance, added after the war, are all still there.

How was the cave found in the first place? A shepherd named Domingo Folch tracked an eagle that kept returning to the same cliff ledge with prey, and following it led him to the cave's entrance.