Monfragüe Natural Park

Serradilla, Jaraicejo, Malpartida de Plasencia, Serrejón, Toril y Torrejón el Rubio, Cáceres, Extremadura.

Applicant: ADENEX (Association for the Defense of Nature and Resources of Extremadura).

Reason for the award :

For the work carried out in the Sierra de Monfragüe, which led to its recognition as a National Park.

This diploma is the first Europa Nostra award granted in Spain to a natural site.

These 18,000 hectares of hilly and mountainous landscape in the vicinity of the Tagus River as it flows through Monfragüe, Cáceres, are and have been the habitat of endangered species such as the black vulture, the Iberian imperial eagle, the griffon vulture, the black stork, the golden eagle or the lynx. The threat of over logging exploitation hovered over the area until 1979, when, at the request of ADENEX, the Association for the Defense of Nature and Resources of Extremadura, Monfragüe was declared a National Park. The creation of the park not only ensured the protection of its flora and fauna but also that of those places of special historical and artistic interest that are in its surrounding area, such as the Cardenal bridge, the Almofrag castle, the Celtic settlements, or the village of Villareal de San Carlos.

Others awards in Extremadura: