Spain

Ancares - Somiedo

WHS Score 0.79
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  • Antonio J.
  • David Berlanda
  • Jan-Willem
  • Mathijs
Ancares and Somiedo are two areas in the Cantabrian Mountains where Braña, a traditional system of livestock farming and transhumance, is still in use today. Braña are seasonal pastures located between 700 and 1800 metres in altitude. The Braña system dates back to the 11th century and is characterised by several types of small stone huts for pastors and their livestock.

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Ancares - Somiedo (ID: 5132)
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Spain
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On tentative list 2007 Site history
History of Ancares - Somiedo
2007: Added to Tentative List
Added to tentative list
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UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
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UNESCO.org

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First published: 05/11/24.

Jan-Willem

Ancares - Somiedo

Ancares - Somiedo (On tentative list)

Ancares - Somiedo by Jan-Willem

I hesitated a bit before writing this contribution, because I do not have a lot to tell. And I’m only doing it, because there’s no other review for this TWHS, yet.

My friends and I stayed in Oviedo and decided to spend a day in the country. We drove by car to Pola de Somiedo, hoping to do some hiking in the area and, who knows, spot a bear! It was about an hour and half driving. I read somewhere else on the web that ‘The park is one of Spain's most beautiful and rugged nature reserves.’ and with what I’ve seen of Spain so far, that is probably true. Just driving through the valleys with their steep, rocky slopes – and some historic sites and bridges along the way - was a treat.

Unfortunately, it was a lot wetter in the mountains then predicted, although the sun did show itself sometimes. So after starting our visit in the small but informative Centro de Interpretacion del Parque Natural de Somiedo, we filled the remainder of the day with only minor walks and some beautiful miradores. We may, or may not, have seen a distant bear, who knows for certain? But there were definitely numerous vultures circling high up in the skies.

We didn’t get to see a braña up close, nor did we visit the other part of the THWS, the Ancares park. So perhaps my review is more about giving credit to the UNESCO Biosphere …

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