Sitios rupestres del Parque Cultural del Maestrazgo

CULTURAL PARK OF EL MAESTRAZGO

Google Maps:
40.820101, -0.450235

Type of site:
Rock-Shelters

Place of location: Sierras del Maestrazgo de Teruel
Village/Town: Mosqueruela / Castellote / Ladruñán
Municipality: The Park includes the municipalities of Aguaviva, Alcorisa, Aliaga, Allepuz, Berge, Bordón, Camarillas, Cantavieja, Cañada de Benatanduz, Cañada de Verich, Cañada Vellida, Cañizar del Olivar, Castel de Cabra, Castellote, Crivillén, Cuevas de Almudén, Ejulve, Estecuel, Fortanete, Fuentes Calientes, Galve, Gargallo, Hinojosa de Jarque, Jarque de la Val, La Cuba, La Ginebrosa, La Iglesuela del Cid, La Mata de los Olmos, La Zoma, Las Parras de Castellote, Los Olmos, Mas de las Matas, Mezquita de Jarque, Mirambel, Miravete de la Sierra, Molinos, Mosqueruela, Pitarque, Puertomingalvo, Seno, Tronchón, Villarluengo and Villarroya de los Pinares. (Teruel)
Region: Aragón
State: Spain
Telephone: (+34) 978 849 713
Website: http://www.maestrazgo.org/arte_rupestre.htm
E-mail: parquecultural@maestrazgo.org

Natural Environment:

The Park consists of large natural places with outstanding examples of cultural heritage, which possess their own specific recognition. There are many listed Properties of Cultural Interest: 10 historical towns, 21 monuments, an archaeological zone and 2 important rock-art sites. There are 70 palaeontological sites on the official inventory as well as 48 points of geological interest which are the basis for an international project for Geotourism in Europe. The Properties of Cultural Interest include castles and heraldic stones. The popular architecture is best seen on the farmhouses that shape a disperse settlement pattern, and old industrial constructions. The natural areas recognised by the Government of Aragon are the Fortanete pine forests, Alto Maestrazgo (Muela de Monchén) and the River Guadalope. The cataloguing of Maestrazgo Cultural Park within the Natura 2000 network is currently under study.

Archaeological evidences in the site:

Abundant archaeological evidence has been found in Maestrazgo Cultural Park, founded in 2001, with human presence since the Palaeolithic. The number of sites increases after that time. Archaeological excavations have confirmed the importance of the area at times such as the beginning of iron-working. As well as possessing raw materials, the Park is well-located to receive the influences on the Mediterranean coast. Metallurgy has been documented in the area of Villarcastillo (Molinos) and surrounding areas. The knowledge of the rock art in the Park progresses with periodical new discoveries. There is a traditional group of Levantine paintings (between 8000 and 4500 years ago) in the area of Santolea Reservoir, with the rock-shelters of La Vacada, Arenal de la Fonseca, Abrigo del Arquero, Torico del Pudial and Friso Abierto del Pudial. A second group exists in Alto Maestrazgo, with rock-engravings (La Estrella de Mosqueruela, Morrón del Cid de Iglesuela and Casagranja de Cantavieja)and paintings in Gibert de Mosqueruela Ravine which, at 1360m above sea level, are some of the highest in the Iberian Peninsula.

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Opening Times:

The Park is open every day, and is part of the Maestrazgo Footpaths Network

Booking and access:

Booking is necessary.

Nearby cultural destinations:

Historical towns of Puertomingalvo, Mosqueruela, La Iglesuela del Cid, Cantavieja and Mirambel in High Maestrazgo; and of Castellote, Cuevas de Cañart and Molinos in Low Maestrazgo. The Way of El Cid and the Route of the Iberians. Galvé Palaeontological Park with dinosaur footprints.

Nearby natural destinations:

Mosqueruela pine forests and Fortanete pine-forest Visitors’ Centre. Sierra de Gúdar, Sierra de Maestrazgo. Villarluengo Environmental Visitors’ Centre. Aliaga Geological Park.

Accommodations (Tourism Website):
http://www.turismomaestrazgo.com/
Restaurants (Tourism Website):
http://www.turismomaestrazgo.com/

Age of the artistic representations:

Most of the figures are Levantine art, which is dated between 9000 and 4500 years ago. The Schematic figures date from the Metal Ages, between 5000 and 3000 years ago.

General description of the destination:

A total of 7 rock-art sites can be visited in Maestrazgo Cultural Park. MOSQUERUELA: Rock-shelters in Gibert Ravine: Located at the head of Gibert Ravine, in a landscape of pines and junipers, near the boundary between Teruel and Castellón. Gibert Rock-Shelter I has a large number of small human figures, in fighting and hunting scenes, and animals. Painted in red, they belong to the Levantine cycle. Gibert II has red paintings and engravings of signs belonging to the Schematic cycle. LADRUÑAN (CASTELLOTE): Pudial Rock-Shelters: Several shelters are grouped together in the same rock wall on the right bank of the Rio Guadalope: Rock-Shelter of Torico del Pudial, which exhibits a very detailed bull in dark red; Rock-Shelter of Pudial Archer, with an outstanding archer with bow and arrows, several human figures, some of them females, and a hunting scene with a male ibex, also in red. Finally, Rock-Shelter of Friso Abierto de Pudial with several archers and a goat in orange. The first two sites belong to the Levantine cycle, while the third is Schematic. Rock-Shelter of Arenal de Fonseca: On the right bank of the River Guadalope, on a rock wall overlooking the ravine, the site contains paintings and also an archaeological deposit at the base of the wall. A group of archers are shown running, with details of the clothes and weapons (bows and groups of arrows). There are also some animals (bull, wild boar), all painted in bright red. CASTELLOTE: Rock-Shelter of La Vacada: In Gómez Ravine, very near the source of the River Ballester, the site can easily be reached along a footpath. This rock-shelter has a large number of paintings, including a large herd of cattle, deer, horses and ibex, hunting scenes, a scene of honey-collecting, and even a scene of a fight or ritual dance between two archers. All the representations are in red and belong to the Levantine cycle.

Museographic resources description:

In Ladruñán, “El Horno” Cultural Association has opened a small reception centre for visitors in the old municipal bakery. To visit it, ask in the Rural Tourism House in the town, or in Castellote Tourist Office.