The Visigothic necropolis of Arroyo de la Luz is an archaeological site located in the Spanish municipality of Arroyo de la Luz, in the province of Cáceres. It is a complex of anthropomorphic tombs from the Late Roman to Medieval period, built in an area of granite in the dehesa (pasture) of La Luz, to the north of the town.
The necropolis is situated about 500 meters from the hermitage of the Virgin of La Luz. According to research on the graves, as well as the discoveries of ceramics and coins, the necropolis has been dated to between the 4th and 7th centuries. It is mainly from the Visigothic era but with a preceding Late Roman origin. The tombs, carved into the rock, consist of two main groups, the first of which comprises eight anthropomorphic tombs oriented east-west.
A bit further to the south is a group of four anthropomorphic tombs. While two follow the usual east-west orientation, the others are oriented south-north. One is close to a pond. In the west, there is a tomb with a normal alignment next to the square base of an oil press.
All the tombs located close to the ground on a granite outcrop belong to adults. Since no shape has been excavated around them for elevation, rainwater can fill them. There are no traces of the covers that once protected them. The foundations of the oil or grape presses can be seen on the granite rocks surrounding the tombs.
References:Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.
Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.
There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.