Region: Andalucia
Province: Cordoba Declared a Natural Park: 1989
Park surface area: 41, 1212 hectares Points of interest: This park is a combination of gentle hills with outcrops of batholithic boulders, forest and meadows. The highest point being 828m at La Colmena. It is the north eastern border of Cordoba and is separated from the natural park of Andújar in Jaen by the deeply ravined river Yeguas. There are cultivated fields along with Cork and Holm oak forests plus dense natural Mediterranean scrub. It is part of the Sierra Morena and shares some endangered species in common with other natural parks in this mountain range. Sierra de Cardeña y Montoro has among its inhabitants the protected Lynx and Wolf. Flora:
On a humid plateau near Cardeña there is a woodland of Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica) with shrubs of rockrose and lavenders. It is the only woods of this type in Cordoba province. The most dominant oak trees are Holm (Quercus ilex) and Cork (Q. suber) with small areas of Gall oaks (Q. faginea). The undergrowth consists of Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera), rock roses (Cistus sp), Mastic tree (Pistacia lentisc), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Wild olive (Olea europaea subsp oleaster) and strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo).
There are also reforestation areas of Stone pine (Pinus pinea) and Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster). The river banks are clothed with Willows, Ash, Oleanders , Black poplar and Alder.
Fauna:
Dense thicket gives cover to much wildlife including Red, Fallow and Roe deer, Wild boar, Badger, Fox, Mongoose, Stone martin, Genet, Wild cat, Weasels, Hare and Rabbit.
Among the raptors are Imperial, Bonelli's, Booted, Short-toed and Golden eagles, Sparrow hawk, Goshawk, kite, Buzzards, Kestrel, Lesser kestrel and Peregrine. Black and Griffon vultures, Tawny, Long-eared, Little and Eagle owls.
At the river are Kingfisher, Dipper, Nightingale, Warblers, Wrens, Stripe-necked terrapins and Barbel.
There is a hide for bird watching on the reservoir named Embalse de Tejoneras. The birds you may see include Herons, Egrets and Little grebes. Many aquatic birds rest here on their migratory routes.
Also in the area:
Tin, copper and lead used to be mined in the area of Venta del Charco, where there are remains from the Iberian and Roman eras. Roman coins and silver Iberian vessels have been discovered at Azuel.
Remains of Megalithic graves from the Metal Age (3rd century B.C.) have been discovered at Torrubia. Information/Visitors Centers:
Centro de Visitantes Venta Nueva, just outside Cardeña at Km 79 on the A92.
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