Casa Natal de Juan Cabré

The Casa Natal de Juan Cabré in Calaceite is the birthplace of Juan Cabré Aguiló (1882-1947), a leading pioneer of modern archaeology in Spain. His work was fundamental to the discovery and study of the Iberian and rock art heritage of the Matarraña region.

Among his most significant contributions are the important excavations at the Iberian settlement of San Antonio, a key archaeological site for understanding Iberian culture in the Matarraña. In addition, Juan Cabré was the discoverer of the famous rock paintings of the Roca dels Moros at Calapatar, which represent the first known manifestations of Levantine rock art in the area. His legacy in the field of archaeology is invaluable and has contributed significantly to the knowledge and preservation of the cultural heritage of the Matarraña region.

Juan Cabré Aguiló was born in this house in Calaceite in 1882. He was one of the pioneers of modern Spanish archaeology and also devoted himself to painting, drawing and photography, skills he used as research techniques.

His scientific work developed in the first half of the 20th century. He studied drawing in Zaragoza —where he first came into contact with archaeology— and in Madrid. His activity began while he was still a student. During one of his excursions to cerro de San Antonio (Calaceite) to paint, he discovered an Iberian settlement. Very soon afterwards, in 1903, he discovered the rock paintings of the Roca dels Moros, in the gorge of Calapatar (Cretas), which were the first known paintings of what is called Levantine rock art. These early investigations motivated the arrival in the comarca of some of the most important European prehistorians of the time, such as Abbé Breuil and Pere Bosch Gimpera. After an initial period focused on the Matarraña and Bajo Aragón (Lower Aragon), Cabré worked at many sites across the Iberian Peninsula.

Throughout his life, he held important positions in various archaeological institutions and museums, directed 27 excavation campaigns, discovered or studied 72 rock art sites and wrote 117 publications, as well as museum records and inventories. His scientific work has made important contributions to the study of peninsular prehistory and protohistory.

He died in Madrid in 1947 at the age of 65.