The set formed by the canyons of the Martin River and its tributary ravines is configured as one of the most spectacular and best preserved natural areas in the province of Teruel . To this we must add the cultural wealth that the urban complexes by which the river runs, the important and even monumental archaeological sites, the impressive scenes painted or engraved in numerous coats with rock art, and the flora and fauna, fly majestic raptors and vultures.
The relief that the water, the wind and the weather have modeled gives rise to a surprising landscape, with a geological support and a paleontological wealth of the first order, which has been enriched by the presence of a respectful population with its surroundings, taking advantage over the centuries until the last meter of land available in a medium not very suitable for the practice of agriculture or livestock.
In this way, a clear example of what traditional ways of life are, to this day, has reached a balance between the action of man to make the most of the earth, and respect for the diverse natural ecosystems of the area.
Thus, far from the technified agriculture and livestock, we can still contemplate the traditional cultivation systems based on the Mediterranean trilogy (wheat, vine and olive), together with the use of the scarce and well-maintained banks of the Martin River, with its fruit and vegetable crops for family use.
All this natural group, along with its cultural heritage, ways of life, flora, fauna, rock art, fossils, forests, vineyards or orchards, is what is included within the Cultural Park of the Río Martin.
If you access the Park from the west you will reach Montalbán and the traditional Peñarroyas neighborhood. Natural and landscape resources are abundant here, to which we must add the architectural richness of Montalbán that will transport us to the medieval era, not in vain was declared a joint historical-artistic From Peñarroyas to Torre de las Arcas, taking advantage of the tributary channel - the Cabra River -, you will observe the spectacular outcrops of red, vinous and yellowish sandstones, of great landscape appeal, which contrast with the dark green color of some species of vegetation type Mediterranean. In Torre de las Arcas a castle remains almost intact, whose origins seem to go back to the 14th-century castles-refuges.
After touring this endless canyons, again other geological formations channel the channel. By Obón you can already contemplate the slopes of gigantic fully fanned heads, based on stone walls with a certain cyclopean spectra, which give us an idea of the importance of the land in times past. The rich garden and the abundant poplars considerably reduce my flow. Without water there is no life and in times of drought it is dying.
From the head of Benicozar numerous sources, perennial capacity, pour their clear and crystalline waters to the depleted flow and make it rejuvenate. A water that several millennia before our Era already knew how to take advantage of hunter-gatherers and incipient farmers, because they left us as testimony of their graphic and artistic activity the cave paintings of the Cañada Marco and the Higuera Shelter, which together with those of Obon, they offer us a truly unique artistic ensemble. The hanging and curled hamlet of Alcaine on the sharp rocky walls full of watchtowers observes and remembers, day by day, the hard battles that the Moors held in these lands and the Christians.
It is qualified as exceptional for its biological character. With special care you will be able to see the funny watermarks of Somormujo Lavanco, herons, egrets, eagles and a varied repertoire of birds very rare to see or in danger of extinction, and the particular cleaning service, vulture pimps always scanning the ground and watching, Step by step, your descent.
If you allow me a recommendation, from Alcaine you can move to Alacón by road. From there take advantage of the Mortar-Regatillo ravine to return back to the channel. Throughout this deep ravine you will find numerous coats full of cave paintings that will offer you an amazing film about the life forms, beliefs and artistic conceptions of the first settlers of the valley. Do not forget to observe carefully the enclosures of the covachos that the shepherds made in past times based on stones to enclose and protect their cattle during the night. Already in Alacon, your neighbors will offer you a refreshing drink of wine jealously guarded in the cellars that pierce the head on which the town sits.
Then you will reach Oliete, the Iberian land par excellence in the Park. Ancient villages, excavated and restored, will help you understand military and agricultural-residential architecture, immediately prior to the change of Era. In "El Palomar", one of these medium-sized towns, you will meditate on its perfectly tiled streets, its warehouses, rooms of human occupation, remains of burials in the houses. In short, you will soak up their ways of life and know the urban planning of the time. Very close, the town center of Oliete, with its narrow annular streets, entrance arches to what was once a fortified enclosure, Renaissance mansions, heraldic shields, hermitages ...
In the estate of San Pedro de los Griegos, still in Oliete, there is the spectacular Sima de San Pedro, place of celebration of the national and international caving championships, and considered, for its peculiar structure, as one of the most important chasms and worth visiting from Europe. Very close to it, the Iberian defensive constructions of the Cabezo de San Pedro. But remember, if you want to visit it, you should contact the association of the Park or the owners. It is a private estate and for the special protection that is provided to this place you must request permission to enter.
In Ariño, again, the flow is greatly increased. The Escuriza river and the sources of this town, which enjoy a splendid reputation as hot springs, give it strength to overcome the canyons of the Sierra de Arcos. In this area you can find some supposed dinosaur footprints that have not just been agreed by specialists, but certainly attractive as a sign of how scar nature can become. Christian-medieval tombs carved into the rock and perfectly defined human bodies, both adults and children, are located in front of the impressive and haughty Sanctuary of the Virgen de Arcos, which stands on steep cliffs in Albalate del Arzobispo and where Celebrate a traditional pilgrimage.
Albalate del Arzobispo is also a land of visitable cave paintings. They are already located in "Los Chaparros", where various archers, horses, deer, wild boar are represented in various scenes. It is a truly spectacular area, where the waters laboriously make their way into the last foothills of the Sierra, until they reach the town, also declared a historical-artistic complex. Here the farmhouse huddles on a hill as a sign of submission to the archiepiscopal castle-palace, which is housed at the highest point of the land, and is considered one of the oldest examples of fortified Gothic residence in Spain, without forgetting additions of Mudejar tradition that provide the local note.
If you want Ample your information on Aragon you can begin crossing some Monasteries, o 40 Castles another interesting route is the Mudejar, Patrimony of the Humanity, also you can extend your cultural knowledge on Aragón examining its municipal and institutional heraldy without forgetting, of course, some of its emblematicas figures as San George Pattern of Aragon or its personages I illustrate adding to these data a minimum crossed by its history o some books.
Also Aragon enjoys a diverse and varied Nature where passing by plants, animals, or landscapes we can arrive at a fantastic bestiario that lives in its monuments.
The information will not be complete without a stroll by its three provinces: Zaragoza, Teruel and Huesca and ours varied Regions, with shutdown in some of its spectacular landscapes like Ordesa or the Moncayo or by opposition in the valle of the Ebro.
If reasons of work or relatives have taken to you Far from Aragon you can Download images of bottom, sounds or animations
Also you can dedicate you to the intangible ones: from the legend compilation that also does to universal Aragon you can persecute the presence of Santo Grial in Aragon.
Other current also you can interest.
Huesca |
Teruel |
Zaragoza |
Aragon |
Beginning
Shields |
Rural Tourism |
Sports |
Precipices |
Tourism
La Seo |
El Pilar |
Mudejar |
Goya |
History
Water |
Fauna |
Flora |
Geology |
Nature in Aragón
Alphabetical Index |
Thematic |
Maps |
Zaragoza Museum
The Canyons of the Martin River. A natural space. Province of Teruel.Cultural park Pasapues, Aragon, Road, Maps, Geology.
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