Portal de Turismo de Castilla y León

We welcome you to Las Batuecas Park House - Francia Mountain Range.

As in the rest of the houses of the park spread throughout the Castilla y León region, it is the recommended gateway to these natural areas. At this interpretation centre, the educators will inform you about the Nature Reserve and help you plan your visit.

Here, information on emblematic species and habitats is provided to facilitate the identification and highlight the cultural and natural heritage of these places, in a respectful manner while promoting the conservation and appreciation of biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Las Batuecas Park House - Francia Mountain Range is located in the town of La Alberca, in the south of Salamanca.

Curiously, according to the Spanish Academy of Language, "estar en las Batuecas" is used in speech to refer to a state of being distracted and oblivious to what is going on, absorbed, and enraptured. These are sensations that visitors to this secret valley, protected by steep mountains and home to a beautiful Mediterranean forest, continue to feel.

La Alberca is a town located in the Francia Mountain Range region, with a population of just over 1000 inhabitants. Its name comes from the Arabic "Al-Bereka," which means "the pond" and may be due to the abundance of water in the surrounding area.

La Alberca and all the municipalities within the Nature Park have valuable popular architecture and constitute a unique setting for festivals, customs, and ancestral traditions, in addition to the rich gastronomy and local craftsmanship.

It is worth mentioning that the architecture of the Park House symbolises a new terrace in the Mountain Range and aims to integrate with the surroundings, minimising the visual impact. As you can see, it is built of stone and has a flat roof.

We are located at the reception of the building where you can obtain information and brochures. In addition, in the cases located in this room, you will be able to find pieces and handcrafted products typical of the area that you may buy.

Behind the panelled wall there is a temporary exhibit space, where local artists display their work.

The visit begins in front of the model of the Nature Park, which covers more than 32,000 hectares and is located on the dividing line of two river basins: the Tagus and the Duero.

This Nature Park has several categories of protection. It's considered a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, a protected area belonging to the Natura 2000 Network, a ZEPA (Special Protection Area for Birds), and a special conservation areas, especially those associated with river habitats.

The mountainous natural environment of the Las Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Nature Park is characterised by wooded valleys and rivers.

In the model, the highest peaks, such as the Hastiala, at 1735 metres, and La Peña de Francia, at 1723 metres, can be observed. The Peña de Francia Mountain Range divides the climatic zones of the park, with La Solana to the south, with a Mediterranean climate, and more extreme temperatures to the north.

Can you imagine why it is called "Francia Mountain Range" if it is so far from France?

The name is connected to a French Mediaeval repopulation, as evidenced by place names such as Francia River or surnames such as Gascón, Cascón, Bernal, or Galache.

The Francia Mountain Range preserves traces of the passage of many civilisations. It has been inhabited since ancient times and it is accepted that human settlements existed as far back as prehistoric times, proof of which can be seen today in the numerous cave paintings scattered between the Batuecas Valley and Herguijuela de la Sierra, mainly areas of quartzite and slate.

Roman remains have been found too. The Romans settled in the present-day municipality of El Cabaco to extract gold from the area on the slopes of the Francia Peak. Remains of a Visigothic settlement of San Martín de Castañar have also been found. Some of these settlements have survived to the present day, but others have disappeared or have gradually been transformed into today's villages. The Romans left evidence of their passage with bridges, roads, and mines, but it was not until the Middle Ages that the mountain range was consolidated as a centre of Marian pilgrimage after the discovery of the Our Lady of La Peña de Francia, known as "La negra", or "the dark one." Legend has it that in 1434, the Virgin appeared to Simon Vela, a French student, in Paris and asked him to look for her in a rock. When he arrived in Salamanca, he heard about the Peña de Francia and that is where he found her.

In the 19th century, the towns fought for the Virgin’s statue, which caused damage to the original carving. For this reason, a new carving was crafted, which curiously houses the old image inside.

Make your way to the entrance of the permanent exhibition. Here, you will find an open space with information panels about the municipalities that form part of the Nature Park, from Cepeda to Monforte de la Sierra and from Monsagro to San Martín del Castañar.

The Peña de Francia, with its 1723 metres, stands out as an exceptional natural viewpoint that allows you to contemplate the neighbouring regions and part of the lands of Cáceres, and is considered one of the highest Marian sanctuaries in the world. From its summit, where the monastery stands, you can see several towns, such as Mogarraz, San Martín del Castañar, Sequeros, Miranda del Castañar, and La Alberca. Did you know that La Alberca was the first Historic-Artistic Site to be declared in Spain back in 1940?

The large window at the back acts as a lookout, offering panoramic views of three terraces delimited by stone walls. The terraces are a traditional way of using the land in steep sloping areas, used since ancient times in the Francia Mountains. These terraces, used for agricultural work such as the cultivation of olive trees and vines, aim to minimise soil erosion and allow the cultivable area to be extended.

Between rooms 2 and 3, you will find an abandoned terrace, where other species of trees and bushes grow when they are no longer used by humans, from an agricultural point of view.

You are now at the first room of the permanent exhibition. On the ground, there is a rectangular image representing the map of the Nature Park.

On the lower panel and pedestals, you can see the seabed of the ancient Thetis Sea and the representation of the different phases of the geological formation of the area, which began 450 million years ago.

In the display case that marks the beginning of this wall, fossils and crucians of ammonites and trilobites are exhibited, opening a fascinating window into the past and allowing visitors to discover the geological richness of this region.

This place was submerged under the sea approximately 450 million years ago. It was home to such remarkable organisms as trilobites, fossils of which can still be found in the rocks of this mountain range, specifically in the quartzites. These quartzites are sedimentary metamorphic rocks that also exhibit crucians, traces left by these organisms as they moved along the seabed.

Due to the force of the tectonic plates, peaks and valleys were formed in the region, which, over time, were subjected to erosive action. Subsequently, the area fractured into several blocks, one of which rose, giving rise to what is now the Francia Mountain Range.

Make your way through the room to the "Living Space, Natural Environment" panel describing the peaks, forests, and rivers in the area.

The singularity of the fauna in this Park is of great interest, not only in Castilla y León, but also on a national level. This is due to the presence of emblematic species such as the Iberian lynx, which is listed as endangered, the ibex, and the roe deer, which were reintroduced in the 1970s, and a great diversity of mammals such as the otter, the wild cat, the genet, and various species of bats, some of which are endemic.

The Park is also home to a colony of black vultures, which led to its designation as a Special Protection Area for Birds. Other birds of note include the black stork, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, Egyptian vulture, Eurasian eagle owl, Montagu's harrier, lesser kestrel, imperial eagle, and griffon vulture.

The diversity of habitats favours the presence of reptiles and amphibians, including endemic species such as the Iberian emerald lizard, the Martinez-Rica's rock lizard, and Bocage's wall lizard. The Francia Mountain Range lizard, a recently discovered exclusive vertebrate, stands out. Among the amphibians, the Iberian newt, the Iberian midwife toad, the Iberian stream frog, and the Iberian painted frog stand out.

As for fish, there are species such as the common trout, the Iberian barbel, the straight-mouth nase, achondrostoma arcasii, and cobitis paludica.

As for the flora, on the summits there are outstanding vegetation formations that include high altitude scrubland such as the piorno shrub and the echinospartum barnadesii. Descending to the lower areas, you’ll find Pyrenean oak groves, which share space with chestnuts, oaks, pedunculate oaks, and beech trees.

It is important to highlight the beech tree of Herguijuela de la Sierra, possibly the most recognisable tree in the province of Salamanca, as it is the most southerly specimen of this species in Europe.

This tree, with an impressive height of 33 metres and a robust stature, has created a beneficial microclimate around it. Its location next to a stream and a grove of alder trees helps to maintain the humidity of the environment and the soil. Curiously, at the beginning of the 20th century, several beech trees populated the mountain range, but today only this one survives.

The beech, a robust, slow-growing tree, can reach heights of up to 40 metres and has smooth grey bark and a long, regular trunk. Its dense foliage and broad canopy, with shiny dark green deciduous leaves that turn yellow in autumn, make it an outstanding species. With an approximate longevity of 250 years, it can live up to 500 years under exceptional conditions. In addition to providing shade, the beech plays a vital role in protecting and enriching the forest floor through the abundant leaf litter it produces. The fruits, called beechnuts, are edible and are covered by a spiny dome. They are very similar to chestnuts.

It is worth mentioning that the extent of Pyrenean oaks, also known as black oaks, is significantly less than would be expected. This is due to the replacement by resin pine, Scots pine, eucalyptus, and scrub plantations and the reforestation of burnt areas with piorno shrubs, heather, and broom. Finally, it is important to note the presence of hard-leaved trees such as cork oaks, holm oaks, strawberry trees, laurustinus, gum rockrose, narrow-leaved mock privet, and junipers.

Here, the various ethnographic landscapes of the park and how its resources have been used are depicted. The panel is divided into three areas corresponding to stone, earth, and water.

Throughout the park, you can find rock shelters, an extensive collection of prehistoric paintings dating from the Middle Neolithic to the Late Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. All these shelters were listed as Sites of Cultural Interest in 2000.

The images reproduce simple animal and human figures using bars or dots, in colours such as ochre, red, black, yellow, and white.

Continue the itinerary clockwise to the back wall of the room.

There, you will find a puzzle made up of three cubes showing pictures of trees, trunks, and leaves. You can rotate the cubes independently, allowing you to align each tree with its trunk and leaves. On the right, there is a small box with logs cut from different trees.

At the back of the model of the hills there is an area where you can smell, touch, and hear the forest.

These senses are essential to fully enjoy nature, as it allows you to connect intimately with the environment. The ear captures the soothing sounds of nature, the sense of smell perceives the fresh and characteristic aromas of the forest, while the sense of touch physically connects you with the texture of the natural elements. This deep connection with nature not only enhances the enjoyment of the Nature Park, but also has mental and emotional health benefits, making the experience enriching and rejuvenating.

On the back wall, you will find a puzzle to build a landscape using the pieces on the table.

On the pedestal, an interactive feature displays several flaps with footprints of animals from the area. When you lift the flap, you can identify which animal each print belongs to.

At the end of the hall, you can find more panels with information about fishing, hunting, forests, and fires.

Hunting and fishing can have significant impact on forest ecosystems and biodiversity if not properly managed, as can fires, which devour everything in their path.

In the centre of the room is a model of a hillside with an observation tower. This model is normally used to play with children so they find animal species in each area, for example, a golden eagle in the higher areas.

To the left, you’ll find panels dealing with issues related to management, conservation, biodiversity, resources, quality of life, protection and care of the Nature Park. Sustainability is essential to maintain the necessary balance in the territory and development is key to continue progressing and making it a space for all.

Sustainability is of vital importance in a Nature Park, as it guarantees the long-term preservation of the health and diversity of the ecosystem, ensuring that future generations will enjoy its benefits. To achieve a sustainable approach one must carefully manage natural resources, minimising the environmental footprint of human activities and promoting the conservation of native flora and fauna. By adopting sustainable practices, we can maintain ecological balance, preserve biodiversity, and keep habitats healthy for species. Promoting sustainable tourism and educating visitors about the importance of respecting and appreciating the natural environment also contributes to raise environmental awareness and global commitment to the protection of our precious natural spaces.

Exit this room, cross the intermediate area and go to room number two.

In the centre of room number two, there are six pedestals with terrariums housing models of animals belonging to the park.

This thematic room showcases lichens, mosses, and ferns, as well as amphibians and reptiles, together with other relevant species of the Nature Park, such as mammals, birds, and fish.

In this space, information is provided and models of various species of amphibians and reptiles are exhibited, as well as animations depicting the growth of ferns.

Ferns are seedless plants. With an evolutionary history dating back hundreds of millions of years, ferns have colonised a wide variety of habitats around the world, from tropical forests to arid environments. Characterised by their leaves called "fronds," ferns reproduce through spores and exhibit a fascinating life cycle. These plants prefer shady and moist environments, thriving in soils rich in organic matter. Their role in ecology is crucial, as they contribute to soil formation and retention, provide habitats for various species and play a major role in water cycles. Ferns, with their elegant appearance and unique biological characteristics, have captured the fascination of botanists and nature lovers alike.

Get closer to the terrariums.

The first is dedicated to forests. Here, models of Iberian worm lizard, western three-toed skink, fire salamander, and European toad are presented.

The second terrarium, dedicated to the scrubland and grasslands, depicts the spiny-footed lizard, the Montpellier snake, and the Spanish psammodromus.

In the terrarium assigned to the streams, the models depict the Iberian emerald lizard, the Iberian stream frog, the grass snake, and the Iberian pond turtle.

In the next terrarium, corresponding to the ponds, there are models of the common frog, the San Antonio frog, the viperine water snake, and the European pond turtle.

The next terrarium, dedicated to fountains, exhibits models of Iberian ribbed newt, marbled newt, Iberian newt, natterjack toad, and the Iberian midwife toad.

The next exhibits models of ocellated lizards, ladder snakes, and common wall geckos.

The last terrarium contains models of the animals typical of the cliffs, including the mountain lizard, a very special species as it is endemic to this Nature Park and is in danger of extinction.

In the corner you will find a table containing feathers, a snake's moult, the skull of a roe deer, animal tracks in clay roundels, and a model of a Eurasian hoopoe. It is an indirect and very important reflection of the life of the area.

The traces left by animals are essential for understanding wildlife and ecosystems. These traces provide valuable information on species identification, animal behaviour, population health, and local biodiversity. Tracks, for example, reveal details about the animal's locomotion and size, while feathers and bones offer clues about breeding, feeding, and migratory patterns. Traces are also fundamental to palaeontological research, contributing to the understanding of the evolution and history of life on Earth. Overall, the study of these traces is essential for wildlife conservation and monitoring.

Go to the back wall, where you can choose one of the videos that tell the story of the life on the monitors, structure and flight of the different scavenger birds you can find in the park. There are videos on Egyptian vultures, griffon vultures, black vultures, crows, and kites, among others.

In the skies over many regions, the majestic flight of birds such as Egyptian vultures, griffon vultures, black vultures, ravens, and kites contributes to the richness of biodiversity. The Egyptian Vulture, with its distinctive black and white plumage, is known for its role in cleaning carcasses and its preference for arid habitats. On the other hand, the griffon vulture, with its imposing wingspan, plays a crucial role in the decomposition cycle of dead animals, contributing to create balance in the ecosystem. The rarer, darker-plumaged black vulture also performs this important ecological service. Ravens, intelligent and adaptive birds, are among the most versatile inhabitants, while kites, with their agile flight, are noted for their hunting prowess and their presence in diverse environments. These birds, each with their unique characteristics, play fundamental roles in nature, highlighting the interconnectedness and importance of conservation to ensure healthy ecosystems.

In the corner of the right wall, there is a mural with information about the species that live in the rivers of the area and life-size models of fish such as the achondrostoma arcasii, sarda, squalius alburnoides, Iberian nase, northern straight-mouth nase, and cobitis paludica. It is worth mentioning that the Alagón cobitis paludica is an endemic species exclusive to the Alagón basin, including the Jerte River and others belonging to this basin.

Further on, you will find four panels of the Life Cipriber project including a comic on the protection and conservation of Iberian cyprinids.

It is a space that seeks to reflect the historical changes in the landscape for its interpretation and knowledge. It also highlights the participation of the local population with their trades and traditions, which are considered worthy of being known and preserved.

On the screens, the artisanal process of basket making is shown and the changing lifestyles are told through the stories of three generations of the Nature Park's inhabitants. It also highlights the pride of the women of the area in working on the Serrano embroidery, a peculiar art full of fantastic animals. Each woman creates her own design, and some of these embroideries are displayed on balconies and are even used as banners, emblems, and identity symbols in some villages.

On the back of the blocks in the centre of the room there are three windows with drawings that represent the evolution of the mountain range with images from the 1950s in the first window, the 1960s and 1970s in the second window and the 1990s, and 2000s in the third window.

Now, leave the room and go on to room 3

The window between rooms 2 and 3 offers a view of an abandoned terraced field. In this area, a variety of trees and shrubs have thrived in the absence of agriculture.

On the floor, there are large wooden carvings depicting animals such as badgers, martens, tortoises, and praying mantises. These sculptures, whose sizes are not proportional to reality, have been created by the Salamanca-born artist Vega Bermejo.

Continue the tour and cross the space between rooms two and three, where audio-visual content is playing.

In this room a video is shown with the resources of the rich Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Sierra de Francia is projected.

On its walls is an exhibition of paintings by Francisco Valencia, a Valencian artist who visited La Alberca for the first time in 1964. His costumbrist paintings had hyper-realistic brushstrokes depicting

typical scenes of mountain culture and tradition, highlighting the typical costumes with a special symbolism, especially the dress used for weddings that was loaded with amulets.

Did you know that this regional costume is the most luxurious in Spain, with flashy jewellery and silver ball necklaces?

Other manifestations of local craftsmanship can also be seen , such as ceramics, basketry and the making of walnut and chestnut wood furniture, some of which are displayed on the shelves in the visitor reception area.

This audio track puts an end to the visit to the Las Batuecas Park House - Francia Mountain Range, in which we have highlighted the uniqueness of its landscapes, the richness of its fauna, fossils from prehistoric times, the orography with its diversity of ecosystems, and their interrelation with the local products and gastronomy.

If you would like more details, you are welcome to come to the reception desk or speak to any of the educators at the Park House.

Thank you for your visit.