Extremadura Guide Eng 2016

T HE C ORNALVO N ATURAL P ARK

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For nearly two millenniums the Cornalvo Roman Dam continues to provide water to various towns. From a bird’s eye view, it looks like a horn/antler: “cornus albus”, white horn…hence Cornalvo. Named a national monument in 1912, the dam is constructed from blocks of stone that, in line with the gradient, divide the waters of the Las Muelas reservoir. The economic strength of the area was and con- tinues to be cattle exploitation. Within the area various farmhouses have been constructed including one belon- ging to the Count of Campomanes (18th Century), the grandest of them all. Carlos III handed over the land for its development and improvement and in 1795 Carlos IV sta- yed here during is journey to Badajoz. LOCATION The Cornalvo Natural Park is approximately located in the geographical centre of Extremadura, in Vegas del Gua- diana. It can be regarded as the vertex of two mountainous formations that meet at this peculiar enclave. On one hand, the mountainous alignments of Sierra de San Pedro; and on the other hand , Sierras de Montanchez, a prolongation of the great mountain mass, thus being the last mountain bar- rier before crossing the valley of Guadiana. Besides, the municipal terms of Mérida, Aljucén, Mirandilla, San Pedro de Mérida and Guareña are partly included in its extension of 10,500 hectares. The locality of Trujillanos, despite the fact of being the traditional entrance to the Park, is not included inside the limits , but it possesses the magnificent Interpretation Centre.

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The uniformity of the landscape is the most significant feature of Cornalvo. The raised area is almost completely dominated by flat granite pastures, and the spurs that emerge from the sierras do not even reach 550m in height, for example, Sierra Bermeja and Sierra del Moro. This uni- formity is not altered by the presence of the berrocal, neatly integrated into the gentle undulating landscape which, together with the waterfalls and potholes of the Las Muelas creek, “El Rugidero”, reveal the interesting geo- morphologic features.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VISITS

Any visit to the park must be initiated in the Interpretation Centre, where some information about the most convenient itineraries and other recommendations will be offered. Op-

General Aspects

Art and History

Regions and Cities

Other aspects

Natural Spaces

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