The [n Sacred Rock of Ranchiles] is a block of sandstone that measures 16 meters long by 12 meters wide and has a height of about 5 meters approximately. It has a carved access stairway that allows you to go through it in a spiral and ends in a straight staircase with seven steps that leads to a flat top..
It is thought that it could have been a place of offering and sacrifice to the gods, that is to say, an altar; and its origin would be [n Celta], since it resembles a Celtic nemeton, a place of worship or sanctuary where the Celts practiced worship, made up of carved stairs, cavities, landings, etc. The custom of some Celtic tribes was to expose the bodies of the warriors killed in battle to the elements to be devoured by the [n buitres].
These birds were considered sacred animals since they would be in charge of raising the body and spirit of these heroes., directly, towards the deity. Although the [n here] of cremation was the most widespread among the Celtiberians, In Numancia a painting has been found where vultures devour the bodies of some warriors, This makes us suppose that the use of these rituals would be a custom reserved only for this elite.
You can get to know this sacred place in our routes and activities that we carry out in the [n Natural Park of the Strait] [www.genatur.com/proximas-actividades/ HERE]
