miguel a. cartagena
Natural Monument of Ibor
Less than a mile from the village of Castañar de Ibor, you’ll find the Castañar Cave Interpretation Center, an excellent place to understand a little better the peculiarities of the area and of the nearby Castañar Cave Natural Monument.
It’s divided into different rooms which use informative murals, photographs, models, and videos to explain the rich ecosystems found in the region of Villuercas - Ibores - Jara . There’s a small model which shows a geological profile of the area (it has been deemed a GeoPark) and highlights the anticlinal and synclinal formations that have formed over time.
You can also learn about the enormous natural wealth in the region, a wealth which boasts over 50 species of birds including vultures, peregrine falcons, and golden eagles among many others. The area also has a variety of plant life like junipers, oaks, chestnuts, alders, poplars, and ash trees.
The GeoPark is also home to archaeological sites dating back to ancient times. The Center has a collection of numerous tools, ornaments, and artifacts from the Celt-Iberian civilizations as well as a space where you can find a replica of the cave where they show different formations called aragonite and calcite speleothems.
The variety found here makes it unique in Spain and has led to it being recognized as a National Monument.
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