Subbetica

The Sierra de Aras, a Natural Monument

The Sierra de Aras, a Natural Monument

Ubicación ideal para parapente y ala delta, con vistas panorámicas. Destacan sus yacimientos paleontológicos y rutas para senderismo y espeleología.

The Environment Agency, in accordance with new national and regional legislation, has included our Sierra de Aras in its first provincial catalogue. The Sierra de Aras, or Sierra de Araceli, rises to an altitude of 868 metres and is situated some six kilometres south of Lucena, on which stands the sanctuary of the Virgin of Araceli, patron saint of the city and the Andalusian countryside. It owes its name to the discovery there of the remains of altars from a pagan temple, and on its summit there was once a watchtower for observing the Muslims on the border, as from its summit one can overlook vast stretches of the provinces of Córdoba, Málaga, Granada, Seville and Jaén, with more than 25 villages visible on clear days. It is home to significant vegetation, the main attraction being a relatively well-preserved holm oak forest, amidst which grows a thick scrub of blackthorn, broom, rockrose, mastic, kermes oak, gorse and spurge. At the summit, we also find some exotic pine trees. Other interesting species includeAlyssun minus, Erophila verna(panadizo) andHornungia petraea, withCosentinia vellea standing out in particular—a rare pteridophyte in the region that grows in cracks in limestone rocks. The Sierra de Aras is also known for housing one of the province’s main palaeontological sites. Neolithic artefacts have been found in some of the numerous caves there, such as those of La Cornicabra, La Campana and La Habitación. However, it is the palaeontological discovery at theCuevadel Ángel, with its remains from the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic periods, that has brought renown to this site, as it constitutes, for that era, one of the largest sites found in Spain and Europe, and is estimated to be between 400,000 and 100,000 years old. Thousands of artefacts have been excavated from the site, including spearheads, knives and animal remains such as rhinoceroses, bears, lynxes and bovids. It is undoubtedly the most important natural heritage site for the people of Lucena, classified asa Mountain Complex of Environmental Interestand previously proposed asa Natural Monument. In the Sierra de Araceli, activities such as paragliding or hang-gliding can be enjoyed, as the area offers very favourable conditions for these sports, including a well-oriented slope and a take-off run, as well as a vast landing area near Campo de Aras. It is quite common to come across sports enthusiasts practising these sports there. Caving is also possible, as there are several caves in the area. Other sports include mountain biking, hiking and a wide range of leisure and recreational activities.