Treasure Cave Malaga

Since I have moved to Malaga several months ago, I have been intrigued by the caves that exist in this region, particularly the Treasure Cave Malaga.  The Spanish translation is Cueva del Tesoro, and exists in the nearby town of Rincon de la Victoria.  I chose to go here on my 44^th birthday, to make it extra special.  I took the local bus, which drove the 10 kilometers from Malaga city.  

When I arrived at the bus stop, what surprised me was the 12 minute walk uphill to the cave.  In my mind, I imagined caves to be low to the ground.  This was a mini camino. As I followed directions, I seemed to be walking away from nature, not towards it.  The environment was now suburban homes and a fancy restaurant. How could there be caves there?  I was adamant that the directions on my phone were useless, but after time, I found it. 

 The entrance to the building was a 1970s style. I entered, showed my ticket, passed several staff members and descriptions of the site. Then I descended the stairs to the caves behind several families with young children.  Would this be a special experience with all the noise?  I would find out.  I found it fascinating that the hill I was just climbing up from the bus stop to the entrance had a cave that existed underneath it.  And now was exploration time.

Why the name Treasure Cave? People came here in search of hidden treasures.  According to legends, a treasure may still reside here. Nobody has found this.  Treasure was stored here temporarily in the 12^th century from people trying to escape problems in the Moorish empire.  

  Cueva del Tesoro is one of only three caves in the world whose formation occurred underwater. This occurred during the Jurassic times. Yes, dinosaurs! It was a sacred space and utilized for rituals and sacrifices throughout history. 

The real reason I came to this cave was my curiosity of Noctiluca. An area in the cave served as an altar for Noctiluca. She was a Phoenician goddess of the moon, night, and fertility.  A Malaga blog post stated that “The figure of Noctiluca is considered to have been the most important spiritual symbol in the whole Mediterranean region. She was also an object of worship in Syria where she was known as Astarté, in Egypt as Isis, in Greece as Hécate, Cibeles and Afrodita: Noctiluca is the Mother of the gods, the female aspect that is given to the moon’s actions of controlling life and agricultural cycles, ” more details here https://www.malaga.es/en/laprovincia/naturaleza/lis_cd-1694/cueva-del-tesoro .

Another name for the goddess Noctiluca is Malac. This is where the city of Malaga received it’s name.  This rich history drew me to visit this cave, and I know how special caves are in the process of rituals, initiation, and insight.  When I visited on a weekday, there was a fair number of tourists and young children.  I wanted time alone to feel the impact of this sacred space. Somehow, despite the circumstances surrounding me, I was able to. 

 If you are patient enough to wait for the crowds to pass, silence arises. I could hear drips of water in certain parts of the cave.  I let my feet touch the earth, as I took off my Birkenstocks.  Historically, during pilgrimages, pilgrims are to leave something of significance at our destination. For more read my blog here https://amodernpilgrimage.com/top-5-things-you-need-when-preparing-for-a-pilgrimage/ 

I didn’t have any tangible items to leave in the cave as an offering. Instead, what I chose to offer was some vocal toning or chanting.  And I was able to have an impactful sacred experience in the cave, particularly in the area that once served as the altar for Noctiluca.  But that story will be shared for another time. 

Treasure Cave Malaga or Cueva del Tesoro is a wonderful daytrip from Malaga. To explore territory that once was underwater, see the intricacies of rock formations, and to walk the hidden grounds where people for hundreds of years sought sacred moments in is fascinating.  It turns anyone into an archeologist, historian, and mythologist for the day.