The Encebro, a wild Iberian equid, left an indelible mark on the Iberian Peninsula before facing extinction in the 16th century. Standing at an impressive 1.30 meters and weighing 300 kilograms, this equid outpaced domestic horses in speed, as recorded in medieval texts from the kingdoms of Castile, León, and Portugal. References abound in up to 80 Castilian and Leon “fueros” (See below) from the 12th and 13th centuries, offering a glimpse into its significance in the region’s history.
Macizo del Montseny Natural Park
- Region: Catalonia
- Province: Barcelona and Gerona
- Declared a Natural Park: Biosphere Reserve 1978. Natural Park 1987
- Park surface area: 50,166 hectares. Expanded from 30,000 hectares in 2014)
- Towns and villages: Aiguafreda, Arbucias, Breda, Brull, Campins, Cánoves y Samalús, Figaró-Montmany, Fogás de Monclús, La Garriga, Gualba, Montseny, Riells i Viabrea, San Esteban, San Felíu de, Buxalleu, San Pedro de Vilamajor, Seva and Viladrau
Points of interest
Biosphere reserve
The Macizo del Montseny Natural Park (Just 50 kilometres from Barcelona) is the oldest in Catalonia and is also one of the most important because in a relatively small area there are typical plant communities of the three major European biomes : the Mediterranean (holm oak, cork oak and Aleppo pine), the Eurosiberian (Scots pine, beech and white fir) and boreoalpine (alpine meadow). The Montseny natural fir forest is the southernmost in Europe and this was the main reason that in 1978 UNESCO declared the area a protected Biosphere Reserve.
News from Wildside Holidays and the Iberia Nature Forum
Heres some News from Wildside Holidays and the Iberia Nature Forum. (November 2023 newsletter.) The Wildside Holidays Facebook Prize Draw Enhance your nature-filled adventure with a chance to win a 100 Euro Get Your Guide gift voucher! Participate in the Wildside Holidays Facebook Prize Draw. Follow the simple instructions on the Wildside Holidays Facebook page … Read more
Aiguamolls de L’Empordà Natural Park
- Region: Cataluña
- Province: Gerona
- Declared a Natural Park: 1985
- Park surface area: 4.783 hectares
- Towns and villages: Castellón de Ampurias, La Armentera, La Escala, Palau Sabardera, Pau, Pedret y Marsá, Perelada, Rosas and San Pedro Pescador
Points of interest
Aiguamolls de L’Empordà Natural Park forms part of the Bay of Roses and the marshland lies between the two Rivers Fluvià and Muga. It is the second largest wetland in Catalonia, the Ebro delta being the largest.