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LAS LORAS GEOPARK IS UNESCO

“UNESCO Global Geopark” new label was ratified and created on 17 November 2015 by the 195 Member States of UNESCO, thus expressing the recognition of the importance of managing significant geological sites. Along with other already existing standards, such as World Heritage Cities and Biosphere Reserve this label aims to enhance the value of the world’s most outstanding heritage.

Las Loras are spread throughout a large territory between Burgos and Palencia provinces. The area is mainly characterized by high moorlands and inselbergs separated by outstanding river canyons, drawing rugged skylines comprising a mosaic of steppes, meadows and gallery forests sheltering rich biodiversity. Besides scientific and nature significance the region treasures rich archaeological (Palaeolithic sites, Neolithic dolmens and burial mounds, Iron Age forts), architectural (Romanesque and Pre-Romanesque monuments) and historical heritage. It is a remote place enclosing the time within its stones. There are already more than 140 sites scattered along the five continents holding the Geopark label. Las Loras region belongs to the network since 2017.

LAS LORAS GEOPARK IS DEVELOPMENT

A geopark is a territory comprising both unique geological heritage and sustainable development strategies. Its boundaries are clearly defined and it is wide enough to generate its own economical development. Although it is not a protection feature, it should contribute for nature and cultural heritage conservation and promotion and therefore, the quality of life of people living in it and in its geological wealth are of high interest.

Las Loras UNESCO Global Geopark emanates from a local initiative targeting three main aims: sustainable development of resources, nature and cultural heritage protection and educational activities and dissemination of information about the territory.

In spite of being based on its geological peculiarities, a geopark is not only about geology. It should aim to explore, develop and promote the relationships between geological heritage and all other local heritage assets (nature, cultural or intangible).

LAS LORAS GEOPARK IS GEOLOGY

The geological value of the territory underpinned Las Loras declaration as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Ninety four geological features, some of them of worldwide interest, were listed within around 100.000 ha, and were grouped in twelve sites of geological interest.

Most of them are framed within the field of geomorphology and correspond with the most characteristic reliefs of the northern part of the region. Such are the examples of the highly karstified moorlands and the canyons carved into the limestone rocks by the main rivers: Pisuerga, Rudrón and Ebro. The landscape holds great beauty, contrasting dry plateaus and rough woods enclosed between the crags. Some of the most outstanding sites are the Cueva de los Franceses Cave, the Tuerces and the Horadada, Rudrón and Alto Ebro Canyons. Other sites are distinguished by their structural component; such is the case of the reliefs which comprise the western-like horizons, which are here significantly called “loras”.

The numerous marine and continental fossil remains are also important, from rudist and coral reefs to dinosaurs embedded in layers of rocks registered over 215 million years continuously.

Ayoluengo Oil Field deserves a special section because of the singularity of its towers erected onshore, a unique example in the Iberian Peninsula, and due to its history and because of the fact that it has been operating until recently. It is also important to highlight some active geological processes scattered within the territory like the plentiful waterfalls, upwellings and caves.

LAS LORAS GEOPARK IS BIODIVERSITY

Las Loras natural environment diversity and its well-preserved condition enable a notorious variety of habitats. Some of them are unique and scarce in the Iberian Peninsula, sheltering several threatened fauna and flora species. The biological wealth has encouraged the designation of ten figures of environmental protection (7 Red Natura 2000 sites and 3 sites within the Network of Castile and León Natural Areas) in the enclaves presenting highest ecological value.

After historical periods of high human settlement, depopulation and the abandonment of traditional uses in the last decades have favoured the regeneration of the woods on large slopes, moorlands and canyons. The rough relief and its strategic biogeographic position in the territory of transition between the Euro-Siberian and Mediterranean regions are two key factors for the notorious variety of Las Loras habitats and species.

Some of the examples of forest biodiversity are the Pyrenean oak, Gall oak, beech, yew, lime tree, hazelnut tree, Kermes oak, strawberry bush, juniper and the unique steppe ecosystem of the moorlands, the fields of dolines, karren and rugged terrain sheltering thick formations of shrubs and fern. The underground modelling resulted in cave and pit cave systems which shelter extraordinary communities of cave fauna. The active karstic dynamics enables tuffaceous upwellings which create authentic layered structures, which are extremely scarce and threatened habitats. The deep river canyons are also a typical formation carved into the limestone by the Pisuerga, Rudrón, Ebro and Úrbel rivers, where thick and lush ash, willow and alder groves, as well as several species of colourful shrubs flourish. There are also outstanding peat bogs with distinctive fauna and flora.

LAS LORAS GEOPARK IS CULTURE

A geopark is not only a group of sites of geological interest. It is a territory talented at storytelling. Stories like those told by several archaeological sites within Las Loras, like the Neolithic burial monumental ensemble with extraordinary representatives, such as the Cabaña dolmen in Sargentes de la Lora and Canto Hito menhir in Revilla de Pomar.

The forts of the Celtiberian populations of the Iron Age, witnesses of a turbulent past, are located at the highest crags. Some good examples are La Ulaña, Amaya, Cildá and Monte Bernorio, where the presence of an important Roman settlement, from the Cantabrian wars time, has also been registered.

Parts of the strategic Roman Road from northern Spain are still conserved, as well as archaeological remains of the first settlements after the wars, such as Huerta Varona, next to Aguilar de Campoo.

Several necropolises dating to Early Middle Ages are to be highlighted, as well as churches carved into the rock, like Olleros de Pisuerga, one of the Romanesque most extraordinary cave churches.

Las Loras shelter one of the best groups of Romanesque churches in Spain. True gems, like Santa María la Real Monastery, Santa Cecilia Church in Vallespinoso de Aguilar and San Julián and Santa Basilisa Church in Rebolledo de la Torre, which offer the visitors a sober touch and magnificent style.

The network of traditional roads has been more recently created, connecting livestock farming centres in Valderredible Valley to the market in Villadiego, going through the Ebro and Rudrón Canyons in Santa Coloma, and the paths through which the sheep travelled between Burgos and Aguilar de Campoo.