FAUNAThe diversity of environments that exist in the Protected Landscape makes this spacea strategic place for fauna, with species belonging to Mediterranean areas being foundalongside other species from a more northern origin. The layout of the mountain rangesand the continuity of the plant mass are contributing factors in it being like an ecolog-ical passageway where numerous species travel through and disperse.

In the conglomerate cliffs species of special conservation interest nest, such as theGolden Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, the Peregrine Falcon or the Bearded Vulture, a birdthat has been declared as in Danger of Extinction. In the expanses of forests there isan abundance of wild species of ungulates such as roe deer or wild boar, species of interest such as the Pine marten, Badger,Grey dormouse, or various species of cave-dwelling and forest bats, and a multitude of species of forest birds such as the HawkEagle, the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, the Tawny Owl, the Black Woodpecker, etc.

In the limited river flows we can find interesting species of fish such as the common trout or globefish, living together withsome amphibians and reptiles such as the common frog or the viperine snake.

How were the hanging synclines formed?

During the Tertiary Era the Pyrenean rivers deposited thematerials dragged from the more elevated sectors of theemerging Pyrenean chain in topographically depressedareas. The highest calibre deposits, boulders, were compact-ed and cemented, providing a detrital rock: the conglomer-ate. The deformations of the alpine orogeny gave way tothese deposits, and the subsequent erosive action of theenvironmental agents provoked an inversion of the relief,putting the big syncline of La Peña Oroel on a ledge, pro-viding singular forms of relief. These hanging synclines arecharacterized by level summits and very fractured, spectac-ular vertical cliffs.

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BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE NATURAL PROTECTED AREA> Categories of Protection: The Protected Landscape of San Juan de la Peña y Monte Oroel was declared by Decree

13/2007 on January 30, by the Government of Aragon. With its declaration, the ancient Natural Monument of San Juande la Peña (declared by Law 6/1998, on May 19, by Protected Natural Areas of Aragon) which was previously NaturalSite of National Interest of San Juan de la Peña (declared by Royal Decree on 30 October 1920). It is a SpecialProtection Area (SPA) for birds and a Site of Community Importance (SCI), according to European regulations.

> Regions: La Jacetania, La Hoya de Huesca and Alto Gallego.> Municipal areas: Bailo, Jaca, Santa Cilia, Santa Cruz de la Serós (Jacetania Area), Caldearenas (Alto Gallego Area) and

Peñas de Riglos (Hoya de Huesca Area).> Land surface area: 9.513, 98 hectares.> Points of interest: It constitutes one of the most outstanding mid-mountain ecosystems of Aragon, with a dense and varied

expanse of forest, where the well conserved Scots pine forests and the conglomerate scarps which serve as a refuge for animportant population of raptors stand out. Basically known for accommodating what was the most important monastery ofthe High Middle Ages and first royal pantheon of Aragon, the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña.

The Protected Landscape of San Juan de la Peña andMonte Oroel is situated in the north west of Huescaprovince. It has an unusual combination of nature and cul-ture: environmental units representative of the mid-Pyrenean mountains (with a dense and varied expanse of for-est and conglomerate cliffs, refuges for cave birds of specialinterest), and the presence of one of the most importantmonasteries from the High Middle Ages and seat of theKing of Aragon, the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña.

GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY

The position of the massif of San Juan de la Peña andMonte Oroel is WNW-ESE, following the Pyrenean struc-tural guidelines, modelled on the molasic series of Jaca inthe Middle Pyrenean Depression. The relief is represent-ed by alignments of sandstone and marls with steep slopes,in some cases capped by powerful deposits of conglomer-ates, which have provided the most significant geomorpho-logical elements of the Protected Area: the hanging syn-clines hanging of San Juan de la Peña and Oroel. Thealtitudes range from about 700 m to more than 1770 mat the peak of Oroel. The position of San Juan de la Peña and Oroel presents an eminent forest character, with the majorityof its surface being covered with forests of different composition and nature.

VEGETATIONIn the sunny spots, areas sheltered with more sunshine, Holm oaks (Quercus rotundifolia) andthermophyllous Gall-oak groves develop, next to diverse matorral formations. They also man-age to colonize very windy high mountain areas, where the matorrals adopt short roundedthicket shrubs.

In the more humid and fresher shady places, different types of vegetation appear.

The higher areas and humid ravines are covered with Pine trees and Beech forests,mixed at times with Lime trees, Service trees, Yew trees, Maple trees or Aspen trees.

The Beech forests and Pine forests on the mountainside of San Salvador as far asthe Carbonera gorge in San Juan de la Peña or the pine forests which extend acrossthe high mountainsides of Oroel stand out. In the mountainous alignments at a loweraltitude and the lower parts of the mountainsides extensive Gall oak (Quercus gr.Cerrioides) forests develop, with those in the mountain ranges in the north standing out for being well conserved (Atarés, el

Boalar, etc.).

A lot of the shady places are covered with Scots pine forests, with the underbrush being dom-inated by Boxwood and Bearberry, and in the more humid areas by holly trees and a thickblanket of moss. The forests are frequently mixed, with Pines and Holly trees or Poplarstogether in privileged enclaves.

In the areas where the forest has lost its prominence, due to forest fires or human interfer-ence in the past, the Boxwood bushes and erizones cover the ground, protecting it from ero-sion. The vegetation attached to the conglomerate rock faces are of special interest, such asthe Pyrenean violet (Ramonda myconi) or Petrocoptis hispanica.

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Protected Landscape

San Juan de la Peña y Monte OroelProtected Landscape

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RECOMMENDATIONS

Special regulations exist as a means to continue conserving this extraordinary area:

Camping in any of its forms is prohibited.

There is restricted access to motorized vehicles to certain paths. Pay attention to the signs.

Before starting the visit, find out about the possibilities on offer in the park in accordance with your interests and capa-bilities.Do not leave the marked paths, so that you do not disturb the fauna and you can appreciate the splendour of the land-scape better.

Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times within the boundaries of the Protected Landscape.

Being quiet will allow you to observe the fauna. Remember to take binoculars in order to appreciate all its beauty.Observe the flora without damaging it or picking it, so that we can all continue to enjoy it in the same way.

After your visit, remember to pick up any rubbish you may have and put it in the bin.

Lighting fires is not allowed. If you see smoke or anything unusual, call 112 (SOS Aragón). The call is free and anyemergency will be attended to.You already know how important water is. Do not throw rubbish or use soaps or any other detergents in fountains, riversor any other flowing water.

The forest guards and interpretation-education staff will be happy to assist you at any time or answer any questions ordoubts you may have.

USEFUL ADDRESSES

San Juan de la Peña y Monte Oroel Protected LandscapeC/ Ricardo del Arco, 6 – Huesca - Telephone: 974 293 396 – Fax: 974 29 31 47

Department of the Environment – Directorate-General of the Natural EnvironmentPaseo María de Agustín 36 – Zaragoza – Centralita: 976 71 40 00

Information Interpretation Centres: Sodemasa – 976 07 00 02

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Departamento de Medio AmbienteObra Social y CulturalDepartamento de Medio AmbienteObra Social y Cultural

SAN JUAN DE LA PEÑA Y MONTE OROELPROTECTED LANDSCAPE VISITOR CENTRE

> Situated in the forest house of the San Indalecio prairies, next to the NewMonastery.

> Accommodates an exhibition and audiovisual presentation of the natural andcultural aspects of the Protected Landscape.

> You can get information there about the possibilities on offer in the area.

OPENING HOURS:

Autumn-Winter >> weekends and holidays from 10 to 14 h and 15 to 18 h.

Spring-Summer >> weekends and holidays, from 10 to 14 h and from 16 to 20 h.

> During school summer holidays it opens every day at the same time.> Phone number for interpretation centre: 974 36 14 76

CULTURAL VALUES AND TRADITIONAL USEOF RESOURCES Due to its location, these Pre-Pyrenean mountain ranges in Huescahave witnessed human settlements since the Neolithic period, withabundant traces being left behind in the landscape, in the form of lairs,outbuildings and ox barns, which indicate the exploitation of cattle.

The roads traditionally used for ranching purposes warrant a specialmention, such as the Cabañera Real which joins the Pyrenees and theEbro Valley, or for religious purposes, such as the Camino deSantiago, which brings the walker to the Old Monastery from SantaCruz de la Serós.

The importance of the cultural and social values of the environment are reflected in the declaration of the San Juan de la PeñaCultural Park, which includes the architectural collection of Santa Cruz de la Serós, Atarés, Botaya, Ena, Bernués, Santa Ciliaand Bailo, as well as the New and Old Monasteries of San Juan de la Peña.

Situated under an enormous scarp is the old monastery of San Juan de la Peña, emblematic centre of Aragon declared aNational Monument in 1889. Its magnificent royal pantheon and Romanesque cloister stand out. After it went on fire in 1675,it was constructed in the prairies of San Indalecio New Monastery. The harmonious relationship between culture and naturein San Juan de la Peña is reflected in the saying by the forestry Engineer, “take the Sanctuary from the mountain and youwill have mutilated the monument”.

Inner Center of Interpretation.

Old Monastery.

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