Extremadura's Geopark

Located in the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara region, the Extremadura Geological Park was created on 17 September 2011. There are eight such parks in Spain, of which this is the only one in this area. The park covers nineteen towns and is a symbol of sustainable tourism based on geo-conservation. A geological site declared by UNESCO's General Conference.

And if this isn't enough to attract you to this unique landscape, you might just be tempted by the views from its highest point, Risco de La Villuerca at 1,601 metres, the dividing point for Extremadura's two great river basins, the Tagus and the Guadiana. This gives you a panoramic view over the mountain chains and valleys, and the other 44 outstanding geosites in the Geopark.

Start your visit at the Cañamero visitors' centre, where you can find out all about the area's history.

One of the area's major attractions is its paleontological riches, dating back some 540 million years to when this region was part of a primordial sea. This is demonstrated by huge folds and fault lines, and eroded and sedimentary forms.

You can discover numerous traces of human history, in the form of boulders with ancient paintings and dolmens, hill forts, castles and unique Mudejar architecture, which you can fully experience at the Guadalupe Monastery World Heritage site.

Mining was also present in the area, and you can experience this by visiting the Costanaza mine at Logrosán. There are also eight routes around the area: one takes you to one of the main geosites in the area, the Castañar de Ibor cave. It is no longer possible to visit the cave itself, but you can find out all about it in the visitors' centre.

And there's more... If you love good food, come and try some of the area's traditional delights, such as goat's cheese, honey, wines, cherries, chestnuts and traditional pastries. Delights that will make you want to return again and again.