#: locale=es
## Tour
### Description
tour.description = Narváez Visitor Center \
### Título
tour.name = Virtual Visit to Sierra de Baza Natural Park
## Skin
### Botón
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### Texto Multilinea
HTMLText_56F08DAA_4E95_DABB_419A_66119347D454.html = Click on image to enlarge
You are going to take a virtual tour of a visitor's centre and a trail adapted for people with functional diversity. This is a project financed by La Caixa that aims to bring the Natural Areas of Andalusia closer to everyone in an inclusive way through 8 virtual tours, one per province.
The aim of this project is to show the route and the equipment as well as its interpretative content so that users can assess their degree of accessibility before going through it "in situ".
The tours start at a visitor reception facility and continue along an adapted trail. The virtual tour is an experience in itself, as there is the option of taking an immersive visit using virtual reality glasses with a smartphone (APP Matterport VR).
On the main screen we find icons (see image):
To exit the view we are in, click on one of the icons that appear in the lower left corner, depending on the user's intention.
In the legend, this different options appears:
START: A useful option to move quickly to the beginning of the trail or to the visitor center.
INFORMATION: This tab shows all the information markers outside the reception equipment classified by "LANDMARKS" and "ACCESIBILITY". Each one can be accessed by clicking on its description and allows you to continue the tour from that same point.
LOCATION: Address of the reception equipment
We hope you enjoy this immersive experience and decide to visit this site personally.
Click on image to enlarge
You are going to take a virtual tour of a visitor's centre and a trail adapted for people with functional diversity. This is a project financed by La Caixa that aims to bring the Natural Areas of Andalusia closer to everyone in an inclusive way through 8 virtual tours, one per province.
The aim of this project is to show the route and the equipment as well as its interpretative content so that users can assess their degree of accessibility before going through it "in situ".
The tours start at a visitor reception facility and continue along an adapted trail. The virtual tour is an experience in itself, as there is the option of taking an immersive visit using virtual reality glasses with a smartphone (APP Matterport VR).
On the main screen we find icons (see image):
To exit the view we are in, click on one of the icons that appear in the lower left corner, depending on the user's intention.
In the legend, this different options appears:
START: A useful option to move quickly to the beginning of the trail or to the visitor center.
INFORMATION: This tab shows all the information markers outside the reception equipment classified by "LANDMARKS" and "ACCESIBILITY". Each one can be accessed by clicking on its description and allows you to continue the tour from that same point.
LOCATION: Address of the reception equipment
We hope you enjoy this immersive experience and decide to visit this site personally.
INSTRUCTIONS /
How to take the virtual tour?
INSTRUCTIONS /
How to take the virtual tour?
Sierra de Baza Natural Park
Sierra de Baza Natural Park
LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION /
For more details, click on buttons
LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION /
For more details, click on buttons
3/
IN SEARCH OF THE METALS
3/
IN SEARCH OF THE METALS
In the heart of the Sierra de Baza are found many of the most precious and sought-after minerals throughout history. The colors of some of these minerals served as an attraction for their search.
Nearly 7,000 years ago, garnet crystals were used to make hand mills to grind grain. By heating fires or introducing wooden wedges to break up the rock, they managed to extract different minerals that they used to make ornaments and tools for hunting or farming: axes to cut down trees, gouges to work the wood or plows to dig or sow the earth.
Much later, the Sierra de Baza would become the great focus of metallurgy in Western Europe. Minerals like malachite and azurite were searched to extract the copper they both contain. After extracting the minerals from the rocks, the metal was poured in a liquid state over different molds with which tools, ornaments and other utensils were made.
Centuries later, the Romans searched for gold nuggets by breaking down the mountains. To extract this coveted metal they subjected the rocks to high pressure by the force of water until the rocky materials containing gold collapsed. Afterwards, they separated the pebbles from the sands in which the nuggets were found.
During the industrial revolution, numerous mines were opened all over the area guided by the extraction of lead, while the search for iron and copper continued to be a lure for mining in this place. These activities meant a great transformation for the landscape of the Sierra de Baza. The minerals extracted were transported by rail for subsequent shipment by ship from Murcia.
Towards the 1960s, the decline of mining took place with the extraction of fluorite, the last mineral sought in the Sierra de Baza.
In the heart of the Sierra de Baza are found many of the most precious and sought-after minerals throughout history. The colors of some of these minerals served as an attraction for their search.
Nearly 7,000 years ago, garnet crystals were used to make hand mills to grind grain. By heating fires or introducing wooden wedges to break up the rock, they managed to extract different minerals that they used to make ornaments and tools for hunting or farming: axes to cut down trees, gouges to work the wood or plows to dig or sow the earth.
Much later, the Sierra de Baza would become the great focus of metallurgy in Western Europe. Minerals like malachite and azurite were searched to extract the copper they both contain. After extracting the minerals from the rocks, the metal was poured in a liquid state over different molds with which tools, ornaments and other utensils were made.
Centuries later, the Romans searched for gold nuggets by breaking down the mountains. To extract this coveted metal they subjected the rocks to high pressure by the force of water until the rocky materials containing gold collapsed. Afterwards, they separated the pebbles from the sands in which the nuggets were found.
During the industrial revolution, numerous mines were opened all over the area guided by the extraction of lead, while the search for iron and copper continued to be a lure for mining in this place. These activities meant a great transformation for the landscape of the Sierra de Baza. The minerals extracted were transported by rail for subsequent shipment by ship from Murcia.
Towards the 1960s, the decline of mining took place with the extraction of fluorite, the last mineral sought in the Sierra de Baza.
1 /
FIRST HOMES IN SIERRA DE BAZA
1 /
FIRST HOMES IN SIERRA DE BAZA
The first traces of human presence on the Sierra de Baza date back to the Middle Neolithic, when small groups of farmers began to take refuge in caves or natural shelters.
These first settlers began to work and extract different minerals to make utensils used in daily life with the techniques and possibilities they had at that time. In some caves such as those in Cerro Morente, La Cerdeña or La Golfa, tools and utensils of this type were found, confirming their human occupation.
The history continues and centuries later, the Sierra de Baza lived a true splendor, with a large number of settlements springing up in this natural space in search of the copper minerals of the area. The caves gave way to groups of circular huts, with stone walls and covered with branches and mud. These settlements continued to be located next to the rivers, in order to protect themselves against possible aggressions and with cultivable soils.
The first traces of human presence on the Sierra de Baza date back to the Middle Neolithic, when small groups of farmers began to take refuge in caves or natural shelters.
These first settlers began to work and extract different minerals to make utensils used in daily life with the techniques and possibilities they had at that time. In some caves such as those in Cerro Morente, La Cerdeña or La Golfa, tools and utensils of this type were found, confirming their human occupation.
The history continues and centuries later, the Sierra de Baza lived a true splendor, with a large number of settlements springing up in this natural space in search of the copper minerals of the area. The caves gave way to groups of circular huts, with stone walls and covered with branches and mud. These settlements continued to be located next to the rivers, in order to protect themselves against possible aggressions and with cultivable soils.
2/
HIDDEN IN THE LANDSCAPE
HITO 2/
HIDDEN IN THE LANDSCAPE
The great mining boom in the Sierra de Baza during the 19th and 20th centuries led to many villages and farmhouses being established throughout the area. These houses were built with the materials provided by the environment.
In the Sierra de Baza you can find different rocky materials that originated two types of constructions that differ according to the texture and color of the materials involved.
In the western zone of the Sierra de Baza there is an abundance of limestone rocks, dolomites and phyllites. Therefore, in these places the walls of the houses were built with limestone and the roofs were made of launa or red earth, that is, crushed phyllites. By using materials from the surroundings, these constructions seem to hide in the landscape, so that at a certain distance they go unnoticed by our eyes.
The great mining boom in the Sierra de Baza during the 19th and 20th centuries led to many villages and farmhouses being established throughout the area. These houses were built with the materials provided by the environment.
In the Sierra de Baza you can find different rocky materials that originated two types of constructions that differ according to the texture and color of the materials involved.
In the western zone of the Sierra de Baza there is an abundance of limestone rocks, dolomites and phyllites. Therefore, in these places the walls of the houses were built with limestone and the roofs were made of launa or red earth, that is, crushed phyllites. By using materials from the surroundings, these constructions seem to hide in the landscape, so that at a certain distance they go unnoticed by our eyes.
Reptiles are cold-blooded animals, so they need an external source of heat to regulate their activity. So it's very likely that you'll find them exposed to the sun. Reptiles are also well represented, and you may find curious species along the way, such as:
Snout Snake: The triangular shape of its head, its vertical pupils and specially its raised snout that gives it its name, all this simplifies to distinguish this snake.
Ocellated Lizard: It is the largest lizard in Europe. You can find it sunbathing on a rock. It is very active throughout the year except in the shortest periods of coldest weather, when it becomes lethargic. Even if you see it standing still like a statue, you will be surprised how fast and skillful it can be.
Nocturnal with sonar: Bats are nocturnal mammals. In order to capture their prey in the dark, they rely on a system similar to sonar. When a sound is emitted, it bounces off an obstacle and the waves are received by the bat's ear, thus locating its prey. They feed on insects. We can find them near watercourses where they get their food and also in the caves and cracks that serve as their refuge.
Always hydrated: Amphibians are excellent indicators of environmental health due mainly to their moist and permeable skin, which is very sensitive to air and water quality. These animals are highly sensitive to changes in climate and their habitats, that is why they are in regression all over the planet. Iberian endemism such as the Betic toad and Betic midwife toad stand out.
Reptiles are cold-blooded animals, so they need an external source of heat to regulate their activity. So it's very likely that you'll find them exposed to the sun. Reptiles are also well represented, and you may find curious species along the way, such as:
Snout Snake: The triangular shape of its head, its vertical pupils and specially its raised snout that gives it its name, all this simplifies to distinguish this snake.
Ocellated Lizard: It is the largest lizard in Europe. You can find it sunbathing on a rock. It is very active throughout the year except in the shortest periods of coldest weather, when it becomes lethargic. Even if you see it standing still like a statue, you will be surprised how fast and skillful it can be.
Nocturnal with sonar: Bats are nocturnal mammals. In order to capture their prey in the dark, they rely on a system similar to sonar. When a sound is emitted, it bounces off an obstacle and the waves are received by the bat's ear, thus locating its prey. They feed on insects. We can find them near watercourses where they get their food and also in the caves and cracks that serve as their refuge.
Always hydrated: Amphibians are excellent indicators of environmental health due mainly to their moist and permeable skin, which is very sensitive to air and water quality. These animals are highly sensitive to changes in climate and their habitats, that is why they are in regression all over the planet. Iberian endemism such as the Betic toad and Betic midwife toad stand out.
Some emblematic animals like the Iberian lynx, the wolf or the brown bear inhabited the Sierra de Baza.
The wolf: At the beginning of the last century, the Iberian wolf could be seen in almost all the peninsula. Nowadays, in Andalucia they are practically extinct and it is a protected species. Its population decreased drastically due to human pressure, as the wolf is a great predator and sometimes competes for the same resources as humankind.
The bear: They were hunted by the Arab kings of Baza, who took refuge in the Cueva de Saldaña in the area of the Barranco de la Fonfría, placing the bear skins to dry. During the 16th century the grizzly bear was disappearing from the whole Andalusian region and unfortunately also from the Sierra de Baza.
The otter: It was present until the end of the 19th century in numerous streams
The lynx: In the 1960s it disappeared. The last lynx lived in the Piedras Rodadas area
El buck: There is only the memory of the places that have preserved its name as the Hoya de los Gamos in the south face of the Sierra de Baza.
These species were gradually disappearing from the Sierra de Baza due mainly to the action of man and the degradation of their environment.
With the creation of the Natural Park, they intend to preserve all the natural treasures that live in the Sierra de Baza and prevent events like these from happening in future.
Some emblematic animals like the Iberian lynx, the wolf or the brown bear inhabited the Sierra de Baza.
The wolf: At the beginning of the last century, the Iberian wolf could be seen in almost all the peninsula. Nowadays, in Andalucia they are practically extinct and it is a protected species. Its population decreased drastically due to human pressure, as the wolf is a great predator and sometimes competes for the same resources as humankind.
The bear: They were hunted by the Arab kings of Baza, who took refuge in the Cueva de Saldaña in the area of the Barranco de la Fonfría, placing the bear skins to dry. During the 16th century the grizzly bear was disappearing from the whole Andalusian region and unfortunately also from the Sierra de Baza.
The otter: It was present until the end of the 19th century in numerous streams
The lynx: In the 1960s it disappeared. The last lynx lived in the Piedras Rodadas area
El buck: There is only the memory of the places that have preserved its name as the Hoya de los Gamos in the south face of the Sierra de Baza.
These species were gradually disappearing from the Sierra de Baza due mainly to the action of man and the degradation of their environment.
With the creation of the Natural Park, they intend to preserve all the natural treasures that live in the Sierra de Baza and prevent events like these from happening in future.
Key to getting closer to the landscapes of the Sierra de Baza
The relief, soil and water are the natural elements that determine the variety of landscapes you can see in the Sierra. But to understand the life scenarios that this Natural Park shows today we cannot forget the influence of the human being, a key piece in this story.
Its relief, which is over 2,200 meters high, means that there is a wide range of temperatures and rainfall, which together with the slopes with greater or lesser exposure to solar radiation, generate a wide variety of plant landscapes.
The height. As we ascend, the temperature drops and rainfall increases and the vegetation is distributed in bioclimatic strips or floors. Of the five floors of the Mediterranean region, three are present in this Natural Park.
The rain. The clouds hits the mountain, and climb the hill until they originate the orographic rain.
In the Sierra de Baza we basically may find two types of rock: limestone and siliceous, which in turn form two main types of soil: basic and acidic.
Key to getting closer to the landscapes of the Sierra de Baza
The relief, soil and water are the natural elements that determine the variety of landscapes you can see in the Sierra. But to understand the life scenarios that this Natural Park shows today we cannot forget the influence of the human being, a key piece in this story.
Its relief, which is over 2,200 meters high, means that there is a wide range of temperatures and rainfall, which together with the slopes with greater or lesser exposure to solar radiation, generate a wide variety of plant landscapes.
The height. As we ascend, the temperature drops and rainfall increases and the vegetation is distributed in bioclimatic strips or floors. Of the five floors of the Mediterranean region, three are present in this Natural Park.
The rain. The clouds hits the mountain, and climb the hill until they originate the orographic rain.
In the Sierra de Baza we basically may find two types of rock: limestone and siliceous, which in turn form two main types of soil: basic and acidic.
Raptors are a group of birds that stand out for their great skill in flight, which they take advantage of to hunt from the air.
Their size is diverse, from large eagles with large wings to very fast small falcons. We can usually observe them in flight stalking their prey. The contour they cut out in the sky is the easiest way to distinguish them. But it's not just by day that there are birds of prey, some of them have adapted to the dark.
Their visual acuity and special plumage, so that they can't be heard in the silence of the night, have made them infallible hunters. Below you can see the silhouettes in flight of some of the birds of prey that we are lucky enough to observe.
Raptors are a group of birds that stand out for their great skill in flight, which they take advantage of to hunt from the air.
Their size is diverse, from large eagles with large wings to very fast small falcons. We can usually observe them in flight stalking their prey. The contour they cut out in the sky is the easiest way to distinguish them. But it's not just by day that there are birds of prey, some of them have adapted to the dark.
Their visual acuity and special plumage, so that they can't be heard in the silence of the night, have made them infallible hunters. Below you can see the silhouettes in flight of some of the birds of prey that we are lucky enough to observe.
They form a belt of vegetation that accompanies the water courses between rivers and streams. The water as the essence of these landscapes plays an important role due to its high ecological value: this element represents life and at the same time shelter and food for the animals that live there.
The arrival of autumn makes the leaves of the gallery forests shine with golden and orange tones, which gradually announce the winter lethargy that awaits them. Willows, poplars, reeds and blackberries mingle in search of water in these unique spaces that are gradually recovering with the abandonment of crops.
The open pine forest:
Nowadays, there are large pine woods, almost all of which have been repopulated. However, in some places of the low and medium areas, where the soil and humidity conditions are adverse, the holm oak cannot prosper and Aleppo pines and resin trees appear naturally. In some places, such as the dolomites, there are very open pine groves that leave space for junipers and commons junipers, and where the characteristics of the soil even prevent the pines from developing naturally, there is one of the most interesting formations in the Natural Park: the dolomitic tomato groves, a refuge for a large number of endemic species. This landscape appears on limy soils of high aridity or drought. It is located at low altitudes but also occurs occasionally in slightly higher areas.
High mountain pine forests:
The watchmen of the summits: The high mountain pine forests, authentic kings of the Sierra de Baza, are courted by a carpet of creeping junipers forming one of the most beautiful pictures of this place. Millions of years ago, this Sierra was dominated by a northern climate with plants adapted to the intense cold. After the rise in temperature, some of these plants were sheltered in the highest corners of the Sierra de Baza. On the southern face of these peaks, the wild pine gives way to the black pine, a very exceptional king too and also magnificently represented in the Park. These pine forests can be found from 1,850 meters onwards, in the highest areas of the Park and on limestone soil.
Caressing the ground:
Juniper trees and white brooms: Where the cold, wind and snow do not allow the pine to grow, there is a carpet of juniper trees that caresses the ground of the high mountain, bending down to take refuge. The white brooms, which look like large hedgehogs, are dispersed on this vegetable carpet, struggling to survive under unbearable conditions, looking for rounded shapes that provide warm and protect them from the snow. These formations are found at the highest altitudes in the Park.
A breath of color after the thaw
The high mountain meadows, flat and impermeable lands, receive the water from the thawing of the nearby lime forests, forming a real botanical jewel in the Sierra de Baza. The plants have to adapt to the changes that take place on the ground; so they develop after the thaw and dry out in summer, presenting short life cycles. It is important to highlight both the fragility of these landscapes and the uniqueness of finding this type of pasture at these latitudes. The Prados del Rey, next to Calar de Santa Bárbara, at an altitude of 2,000 meters, is one of the most interesting botanical landscapes in the Natural Park.
A door to the thaw
Some of the most interesting plants, such as the Tobacco of the Shepherd, the Narcissus of Sierra Nevada or the Spring of Sierra Nevada, are protected by law due to their scarcity and exclusivity. They are botanical jewels that must be preserved so that their populations increase over time.
Looking for space
Behind the whitish, broken and dry landscape of the dolomites, there is a world full of specialized vegetation, capable of surviving in very extreme conditions. In the peculiar place of the Park known as the Blanquizares de Gor, we can find this kind of singularities capable of supporting dry soils like those that form the dolomites. In spite of these conditions, numerous species have been able to colonize this space, which from the botanical point of view is the most interesting in the Park because it contains numerous endemism, that means plants exclusive to a certain region. These fragile formations are very vulnerable to erosion because they have a limited vegetal cover. These two characteristics, fragility and singularity, make this space enjoy the maximum protection figure.
Some of the plants that we can find are: red thyme, brushwood, sesame, stone-cutter, stormy sandstone...
Overcoming adversity
The wind, the cold, the snow... are adverse factors for the plants and animals of the high summits that find curious strategies to survive here. The small, cushioned forms of the white brooms, offer the minimum surface area exposed to the winter cold, forming an igloo that insulates the interior of the plant from the snow and also reduces water loss in the summer. Other species, such as junipers or savines, adapt by taking creeping forms at ground level, to combat the scourge of the wind and the weight of the snow and ice.
Small and resourceful
The insects of the high summits present a voluminous body and reduction of wings to fight the wind, dark colors to absorb the solar radiation and short vital cycles to adapt to the seasonal changes.
There are many birds in the Park, some more easily identified than others. We give you some clues and curiosities that will help you recognize some of the most unique of these forests:
Bee-eater: Both its spectacular flight and its striking colors make this beautiful bird not to go unnoticed. As its name indicates, its main food is bees, which it captures in the air with great skill.
Jay: You can identify this showy and cunning corvid by the unmistakable blue touch of its wings. It is the first to warn the rest of the forest of our presence with its strong song, although it can also imitate the sounds of other birds.
Crossbill: It frequents the pine forests. The most unique thing about this bird is its beak, which is perfectly adapted to open the pine cones by levering them up and obtaining its precious pine nuts. Between the red-orange of the male and the green of the female, it forms a curious two-coloured couple.
They form a belt of vegetation that accompanies the water courses between rivers and streams. The water as the essence of these landscapes plays an important role due to its high ecological value: this element represents life and at the same time shelter and food for the animals that live there.
The arrival of autumn makes the leaves of the gallery forests shine with golden and orange tones, which gradually announce the winter lethargy that awaits them. Willows, poplars, reeds and blackberries mingle in search of water in these unique spaces that are gradually recovering with the abandonment of crops.
The open pine forest:
Nowadays, there are large pine woods, almost all of which have been repopulated. However, in some places of the low and medium areas, where the soil and humidity conditions are adverse, the holm oak cannot prosper and Aleppo pines and resin trees appear naturally. In some places, such as the dolomites, there are very open pine groves that leave space for junipers and commons junipers, and where the characteristics of the soil even prevent the pines from developing naturally, there is one of the most interesting formations in the Natural Park: the dolomitic tomato groves, a refuge for a large number of endemic species. This landscape appears on limy soils of high aridity or drought. It is located at low altitudes but also occurs occasionally in slightly higher areas.
High mountain pine forests:
The watchmen of the summits: The high mountain pine forests, authentic kings of the Sierra de Baza, are courted by a carpet of creeping junipers forming one of the most beautiful pictures of this place. Millions of years ago, this Sierra was dominated by a northern climate with plants adapted to the intense cold. After the rise in temperature, some of these plants were sheltered in the highest corners of the Sierra de Baza. On the southern face of these peaks, the wild pine gives way to the black pine, a very exceptional king too and also magnificently represented in the Park. These pine forests can be found from 1,850 meters onwards, in the highest areas of the Park and on limestone soil.
Caressing the ground:
Juniper trees and white brooms: Where the cold, wind and snow do not allow the pine to grow, there is a carpet of juniper trees that caresses the ground of the high mountain, bending down to take refuge. The white brooms, which look like large hedgehogs, are dispersed on this vegetable carpet, struggling to survive under unbearable conditions, looking for rounded shapes that provide warm and protect them from the snow. These formations are found at the highest altitudes in the Park.
A breath of color after the thaw
The high mountain meadows, flat and impermeable lands, receive the water from the thawing of the nearby lime forests, forming a real botanical jewel in the Sierra de Baza. The plants have to adapt to the changes that take place on the ground; so they develop after the thaw and dry out in summer, presenting short life cycles. It is important to highlight both the fragility of these landscapes and the uniqueness of finding this type of pasture at these latitudes. The Prados del Rey, next to Calar de Santa Bárbara, at an altitude of 2,000 meters, is one of the most interesting botanical landscapes in the Natural Park.
A door to the thaw
Some of the most interesting plants, such as the Tobacco of the Shepherd, the Narcissus of Sierra Nevada or the Spring of Sierra Nevada, are protected by law due to their scarcity and exclusivity. They are botanical jewels that must be preserved so that their populations increase over time.
Looking for space
Behind the whitish, broken and dry landscape of the dolomites, there is a world full of specialized vegetation, capable of surviving in very extreme conditions. In the peculiar place of the Park known as the Blanquizares de Gor, we can find this kind of singularities capable of supporting dry soils like those that form the dolomites. In spite of these conditions, numerous species have been able to colonize this space, which from the botanical point of view is the most interesting in the Park because it contains numerous endemism, that means plants exclusive to a certain region. These fragile formations are very vulnerable to erosion because they have a limited vegetal cover. These two characteristics, fragility and singularity, make this space enjoy the maximum protection figure.
Some of the plants that we can find are: red thyme, brushwood, sesame, stone-cutter, stormy sandstone...
Overcoming adversity
The wind, the cold, the snow... are adverse factors for the plants and animals of the high summits that find curious strategies to survive here. The small, cushioned forms of the white brooms, offer the minimum surface area exposed to the winter cold, forming an igloo that insulates the interior of the plant from the snow and also reduces water loss in the summer. Other species, such as junipers or savines, adapt by taking creeping forms at ground level, to combat the scourge of the wind and the weight of the snow and ice.
Small and resourceful
The insects of the high summits present a voluminous body and reduction of wings to fight the wind, dark colors to absorb the solar radiation and short vital cycles to adapt to the seasonal changes.
There are many birds in the Park, some more easily identified than others. We give you some clues and curiosities that will help you recognize some of the most unique of these forests:
Bee-eater: Both its spectacular flight and its striking colors make this beautiful bird not to go unnoticed. As its name indicates, its main food is bees, which it captures in the air with great skill.
Jay: You can identify this showy and cunning corvid by the unmistakable blue touch of its wings. It is the first to warn the rest of the forest of our presence with its strong song, although it can also imitate the sounds of other birds.
Crossbill: It frequents the pine forests. The most unique thing about this bird is its beak, which is perfectly adapted to open the pine cones by levering them up and obtaining its precious pine nuts. Between the red-orange of the male and the green of the female, it forms a curious two-coloured couple.
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NEXT TO THE WATER THE GALLERY FORESTS
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NEXT TO THE WATER THE GALLERY FORESTS
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PLAYING WITH SPACE AND TIME
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PLAYING WITH SPACE AND TIME
The oak grove was the most abundant landscape in the Sierra de Baza. Large masses of repopulated pine forests now occupy the domain of the holm oak, which are gradually giving way to the oaks again.
Three types of holm oak coexist in this Natural Park, which vary mostly in height and type of soil. We will show you how to distinguish them...
Holm oak grove with basic soil:
In the lower areas of the Park there are two types of holm oak groves depending on the soil they are in. To distinguish them, we can help ourselves from some of the species of flora that accompany them, which only occur in that particular type of soil. In that case, if you locate the peony flower, you can be sure that you are in a basic soil holm oak.
The plants of this type of holm oak grove grow in dry limestone and clay soils in the lower part of the Sierra de Baza , between 900 and 1,500 m.
Holm oak forest with acidic soil:
In the middle of the Park, with acidic soil, the holm oak changes and usually shows less accompanying species. Among the plants that court this type of holm oak stands out the elbow tree, exclusive of the Betica Region and the north of Morocco. The great North African influence in the south of the peninsula enriches the plant diversity of the Betica Region, making them exclusive places of great botanical interest. In this type of oak grove, plants grow on acidic soils at an altitude of between 900 and 1,900 meters, related to the low areas of the Park.
The oak tree as we ascend:
The third type of holm oak in the Park can be found as we ascend through the Sierra. As they are in colder places, you can see that the trees are more modest in their growth, as they try to protect themselves from the low temperatures. Although the holm oak dominates these landscapes, it is accompanied by different thorny plants, like the barberry tree , which will give you the key clue to recognize the type of holm oak you are in. Between 1,400 and 1,850 meters above sea level, the holm oak grows on limy soils and in sunny areas, as it is replaced by vegetation more typical of humid areas in the valley bottoms and shady areas.
In addition to the oak groves, within the Natural Park we can find other representative formations of the Sierra de Baza, such as pine forests, juniper groves, high mountain scrub, gallery forests, etc. Below we help you to distinguish these landscapes:
The maples:
Autumn reds: In the humid valleys, in the middle of the mountain, there are maples forests, unmistakable in autumn due to the red and orange tones of their leaves exposed to the sun's rays. The maples are dotted with rowan trees and scattered specimens of yews.
The maple forest is under special protection because they are very scarce in Andalucia. Both maples and yews are protected by law due to their poor distribution and fragility. These landscapes require limestone soils with little summer drought so conditions are not very suitable in Andalucia and occupy small areas in shady areas and valley bottoms.
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The oak grove was the most abundant landscape in the Sierra de Baza. Large masses of repopulated pine forests now occupy the domain of the holm oak, which are gradually giving way to the oaks again.
Three types of holm oak coexist in this Natural Park, which vary mostly in height and type of soil. We will show you how to distinguish them...
Holm oak grove with basic soil:
In the lower areas of the Park there are two types of holm oak groves depending on the soil they are in. To distinguish them, we can help ourselves from some of the species of flora that accompany them, which only occur in that particular type of soil. In that case, if you locate the peony flower, you can be sure that you are in a basic soil holm oak.
The plants of this type of holm oak grove grow in dry limestone and clay soils in the lower part of the Sierra de Baza , between 900 and 1,500 m.
Holm oak forest with acidic soil:
In the middle of the Park, with acidic soil, the holm oak changes and usually shows less accompanying species. Among the plants that court this type of holm oak stands out the elbow tree, exclusive of the Betica Region and the north of Morocco. The great North African influence in the south of the peninsula enriches the plant diversity of the Betica Region, making them exclusive places of great botanical interest. In this type of oak grove, plants grow on acidic soils at an altitude of between 900 and 1,900 meters, related to the low areas of the Park.
The oak tree as we ascend:
The third type of holm oak in the Park can be found as we ascend through the Sierra. As they are in colder places, you can see that the trees are more modest in their growth, as they try to protect themselves from the low temperatures. Although the holm oak dominates these landscapes, it is accompanied by different thorny plants, like the barberry tree , which will give you the key clue to recognize the type of holm oak you are in. Between 1,400 and 1,850 meters above sea level, the holm oak grows on limy soils and in sunny areas, as it is replaced by vegetation more typical of humid areas in the valley bottoms and shady areas.
In addition to the oak groves, within the Natural Park we can find other representative formations of the Sierra de Baza, such as pine forests, juniper groves, high mountain scrub, gallery forests, etc. Below we help you to distinguish these landscapes:
The maples:
Autumn reds: In the humid valleys, in the middle of the mountain, there are maples forests, unmistakable in autumn due to the red and orange tones of their leaves exposed to the sun's rays. The maples are dotted with rowan trees and scattered specimens of yews.
The maple forest is under special protection because they are very scarce in Andalucia. Both maples and yews are protected by law due to their poor distribution and fragility. These landscapes require limestone soils with little summer drought so conditions are not very suitable in Andalucia and occupy small areas in shady areas and valley bottoms.
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Apart from mining, the Sierra de Baza has also provided other traditional uses such as livestock farming, beekeeping, the collection of aromatic plants and hunting activities among other uses.
Hunting activity: Since the first settlers, the hunting activity represents one of the most important uses in the Sierra de Baza as shown by the appearance of deer horns in the archaeological site of the Angosturas de Gor. Nowadays it is still one of the most representative activities although it has changed from being a means of subsistence to a recreational activity.
Livestock: The pastures offered by the Sierra de Baza allowed the development of an important livestock hunting activity throughout its history.
Beekeeping: In the Sierra de Baza, beekeeping is a minority activity but it is complementary with other uses of the place. Along with honey, they also obtain wax, pollen or royal jelly. In addition, bees have a very important ecological value thanks to their role in the process of pollination of the plants.
Crops: Although agriculture is now a declining activity, it dominates in the plains and lowlands near population centers.
Mushrooms: With the arrival of the first autumn rains, numerous mushrooms appear in fresh places.
Recreational activities: The Natural Park provides landscapes and equipment for public use, with which you can enjoy a wide range of activities: hiking, cycling, photography...
Apart from mining, the Sierra de Baza has also provided other traditional uses such as livestock farming, beekeeping, the collection of aromatic plants and hunting activities among other uses.
Hunting activity: Since the first settlers, the hunting activity represents one of the most important uses in the Sierra de Baza as shown by the appearance of deer horns in the archaeological site of the Angosturas de Gor. Nowadays it is still one of the most representative activities although it has changed from being a means of subsistence to a recreational activity.
Livestock: The pastures offered by the Sierra de Baza allowed the development of an important livestock hunting activity throughout its history.
Beekeeping: In the Sierra de Baza, beekeeping is a minority activity but it is complementary with other uses of the place. Along with honey, they also obtain wax, pollen or royal jelly. In addition, bees have a very important ecological value thanks to their role in the process of pollination of the plants.
Crops: Although agriculture is now a declining activity, it dominates in the plains and lowlands near population centers.
Mushrooms: With the arrival of the first autumn rains, numerous mushrooms appear in fresh places.
Recreational activities: The Natural Park provides landscapes and equipment for public use, with which you can enjoy a wide range of activities: hiking, cycling, photography...
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WHAT DOES THE SIERRA DE BAZA OFFER US TODAY?
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WHAT DOES THE SIERRA DE BAZA OFFER US TODAY?
The alembic was invented by the Arabs in the 10th century and was used to produce perfumes, alcohol and medicines.
In the Sierra de Baza its most widespread use was to create essences obtained from the great variety of aromatic plants that can be found there. When we boil an aromatic plant with water, the water steam that is released carries away the plant's essential oil, where its smell is concentrated. If we cool this steam we will obtain a liquid mixture of water and essential oil. This oil, being insoluble in water can be separated and thus extract the aroma of the plant.
The elements responsible for the fragrance of the plants are called essential oils, since as its name indicates it contains the essence of the same one. The smell of plants has different functions: as a signal to attract flying insects that facilitate pollination, as a defense mechanism against herbivores or to eliminate competition from other plants and to protect against some diseases. Depending on the plant, these essential oils can be found in different organs, such as wood, roots, leaves, etc.
The alembic was invented by the Arabs in the 10th century and was used to produce perfumes, alcohol and medicines.
In the Sierra de Baza its most widespread use was to create essences obtained from the great variety of aromatic plants that can be found there. When we boil an aromatic plant with water, the water steam that is released carries away the plant's essential oil, where its smell is concentrated. If we cool this steam we will obtain a liquid mixture of water and essential oil. This oil, being insoluble in water can be separated and thus extract the aroma of the plant.
The elements responsible for the fragrance of the plants are called essential oils, since as its name indicates it contains the essence of the same one. The smell of plants has different functions: as a signal to attract flying insects that facilitate pollination, as a defense mechanism against herbivores or to eliminate competition from other plants and to protect against some diseases. Depending on the plant, these essential oils can be found in different organs, such as wood, roots, leaves, etc.
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HOW TO GET THE AROMA OF THE PLANTS?
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HOW TO GET THE AROMA OF THE PLANTS?