Things to see and do Torrejón El Rubio

25 km south of Plasencia by C 524. Monfragüe's natural site is one of the most beautiful parks in Europe. Opened since 1979, it covers over 500 km ² of steep peaks in the north, wooded hills, rivers, Taje and Tiétar. Its typically Mediterranean flora gives it a great ecological interest: green oaks and cork oaks, strawberry or lauriers, wild olive trees, brooms to brooms. Its rich and varied fauna includes a large number of protected species such as mongooses, black vultures, black storks, imperial eagles, wild boars, red deer or Iberian lynx.

Opened in early 2015, this centre provides information on the different birds observable in the national park and on the best spots to observe and photograph them.

Monfragüe National Park has an exceptional density of rock paintings, reflecting the important human occupation of the site, linked to the presence of the Tajo and Tietar rivers. Paintings focus mainly on ford. 107 painted shelters were identified, but as the region was the subject of large yards under Franco, particularly with the construction of dams which led to rising water levels, it certainly counted much more 50 years ago. Many paintings are open air but are not reported, to avoid damage.

The Grotte Castle cave, accessible by a group of 10 people, has one of the most beautiful rock legacies in the park. There was a pyramid of human silhouettes drawn by the finger and iron oxide and a large deer, certainly older. The shelter has a total of 140 figures on 8 different panels, which you may have the chance to see in detail. In 2016, the interpretation centre plans to develop an application that will allow, after taking a picture of paintings with a tablet or smartphone, to highlight the features, details and colours that have become invisible to the naked eye.

A little higher, the castle, 480 m high, offers splendid views over the park as a whole. This is the starting point for many walks to get involved in bird watching: vultures, royal eagles and storks in particular are very numerous in the park.

Inaugurated at the end of 2014, this small interpretation centre consists of a few areas representative of a primitive habitat forming an introduction to the Neolithic world. Daily life, tooling, cooking, housing… Everything has been reviewed and made accessible to the general public. Many photographs and a small documentary show on-line the information on the huts.

It offers maps with itineraries. The best time to visit the park is October, because birds stop there during their migration. Three sites of very well done pedagogical presentations. Think of taking binoculars.