The famous caves of Altamira, which hold some of Europe’s oldest cave paintings, are to reopen to the public on a limited basis.
Each week, five people will be selected by lottery and allowed in with a guide.
The openings will continue until August, in order to see what effect they have on the cave. If the Altamira foundation feels it is appropriate, they may up the frequency of visits after August.
The caves have been closed to the public since 2002, after it was realised that the constant traipse of tourists was damaging the paintings.
The cave of Altamira, outside of Santander, holds what are considered to be not just some of the oldest cave paintings in the world, but some of the most stunning neolithic artwork ever found, and is a worldwide heritage site.