Monfragüe Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Monfragüe National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
A view of the Salto del Gitano
Location	Extremadura
Area	179 km2 (17 852 ha)
Established	2007
Visitors	331,788 (in 2008)

A view of the national park with the ruined Monfragüe castle in the foreground

Monfragüe is a really special place located in western Spain, in a region called Extremadura. It's famous for being one of Spain's amazing National Parks! Think of it as a huge, protected outdoor classroom where you can see incredible wildlife and beautiful nature.

This area has been protected for a long time. Since 1979, it was known as a natural park. Then, in 2007, it became one of Spain's fifteen official National Parks, which gives it even more protection. Monfragüe was even chosen as one of the 100 finalists for the "12 Treasures of Spain" in 2007, showing how important and beautiful it is.

Discover Monfragüe National Park
Images for kids
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Discover Monfragüe National Park

Monfragüe is not just a park; it's also the name of the area around it. Even though it's called a "comarca" (which is like a traditional region), it doesn't have its own government. The most important part of Monfragüe is the National Park, officially called Parque Nacional Monfragüe.

What Makes Monfragüe Special?

Monfragüe is known for its amazing landscapes, especially where the Tagus River flows through deep valleys. The park has tall cliffs and rocky areas, which are perfect homes for many birds. It also has wide open areas with cork oak trees and olive trees.

Protecting Nature

Being a National Park means Monfragüe is a very important place for nature. It helps protect many different kinds of plants and animals. Scientists and park rangers work hard to keep the environment healthy and safe for everyone who lives there, including the wildlife.

Amazing Animals of Monfragüe

Monfragüe is a paradise for animal lovers, especially if you like birds! It's one of the best places in the world to see large birds of prey.

Birds of Prey

Griffon Vultures: These huge birds are very common here. You can often see them soaring high above the cliffs or resting on the rocky ledges. They have a wingspan of up to 2.8 meters (9 feet)!
Spanish Imperial Eagles: This is one of the rarest eagles in the world, and Monfragüe is a very important place for them. The park helps protect their nests and ensures they have a safe place to live.
Black Storks: These elegant birds with long legs and dark feathers also make their homes in the park.
Eurasian Black Vultures: These are Europe's largest birds of prey, and Monfragüe has one of the biggest groups of them.

Other Wildlife

Besides birds, you can also spot other animals in Monfragüe:

Deer: During autumn, you might hear the loud calls of male deer during their "rut" or "roar" season.
Wild Boar: These animals are often seen rooting around in the forests.
Otters: If you're lucky, you might see otters playing in the rivers.
Genets and Badgers: These shy animals usually come out at night.

Plants and Trees in the Park

The plants in Monfragüe are just as important as the animals. The park has different types of plant life, depending on the soil and how much water there is.

Forest Areas

Cork Oaks: These trees are very common. Their bark is used to make cork products.
Evergreen Oaks: These trees keep their leaves all year round and provide food for many animals.
Strawberry Trees and Wild Olives: These trees add to the green landscape of the park.

Riverbank Plants

Along the Tagus River, you'll find plants that love water, like ash trees, alders, and willows. These areas are important for animals that live near the water.

Mediterranean Shrubs

In drier areas, you'll see many types of Mediterranean shrubs. These include plants like rockrose, heather, and rosemary, which often have beautiful flowers.

History of Monfragüe

Monfragüe has a long history, with signs of people living here for thousands of years.

Ancient Times

People have lived in this area since prehistoric times. There are even cave paintings in some parts of the park, showing how ancient humans lived and hunted.

Monfragüe Castle

The park is home to the ruins of an old castle, the Castle of Monfragüe. This castle was built a long time ago to protect the area. From the castle, you get an amazing view of the entire National Park. It's a great spot to see the vastness of Monfragüe and imagine what life was like centuries ago.

The Cardinal's Bridge

Another interesting historical spot is the Puente del Cardenal (Cardinal's Bridge). This old bridge crosses the Tagus River. It's often underwater when the river level is high, so you can only see it when the water is very low.

Images for kids

Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) in flight over the park.
National Park of Monfragüe, in Extremadura. View from the Castle.
Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) in the rocks of Monfragüe.
Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) in the rocks of Monfragüe.
Bridge over the Tagus River as it passes through the national park.
Jara in bloom in Monfragüe.
Deer during the 2008 roar.
Bee feeding on nectar in the Monfragüe National Park.
The Tagus River as it passes through the park.
Evergreen oaks ( Quercus ilex ) in the dehesa de Monfragüe.
El Salto del Gitano and the lookout for birds.
Puente del Cardenal, Monfragüe. It is only visible when the level of the Tagus River is very low.