Serra de Collserola facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Serra de Collserola |
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The Collserola range rising above Barcelona city
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 516.2 m (1,694 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Serra de Collserola
Location in Catalonia
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| Location | Barcelonès (Catalonia) |
| Parent range | Catalan Coastal Range |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Metamorphic rock |
The Serra de Collserola, or simply Collserola, is a beautiful mountain range in Catalonia, Spain. It sits between two rivers, the Besòs and the Llobregat. These mountains are part of a bigger group called the Catalan Coastal Range.
Collserola acts like a natural wall, separating the big city of Barcelona from the Vallès plain. The highest point in this range is Tibidabo, which stands 512 meters tall. Other important peaks include Turó del Puig, Puig d'Olorda, and Turó de Valldaura. The rivers and plains around it clearly mark where the Collserola mountains begin and end.
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Collserola Park: A Giant Green Space
To protect this special area, the Parc de Collserola (Collserola Park) was created in 1987. It covers a huge area of 84.65 square kilometers. This makes it one of the biggest parks found near a major city anywhere in the world! To give you an idea, it's 8 times larger than the Bois de Boulogne park in Paris. It's also 22 times bigger than Central Park in New York City.
Plants and Animals of Collserola
The park is home to an amazing variety of plants and animals. Scientists have found over a thousand different types of plants here. You can see forests filled with pine trees and evergreen oaks. There are also bushes, grassy areas, and plants that grow near rivers.
This wide range of plants means many different animals can live here. You might spot wild boars, foxes, and even genets. Other mammals include badgers, rabbits, and squirrels.
The park is also a paradise for birds. Look out for small birds like blue tits and whitethroats. You might also see bigger birds like doves, goshawks, and sparrowhawks. For those who love reptiles and amphibians, there are salamanders, newts, and different kinds of frogs and toads. You can also find Mediterranean turtles and various snakes.
The Collserola Tower
On Vilana hill, which is 445 meters high, stands the impressive Torre de Collserola (Collserola Tower). This tall telecommunications tower was built in 1992. It was used for the Olympic Games held in Barcelona that year. The tower is 288.4 meters tall and was designed by a famous British architect, Sir Norman Foster.
Fun Activities in the Park
The Collserola Park is very popular with people living in Barcelona and nearby towns. It's a fantastic place to visit, especially on weekends. Many people enjoy walking, cycling, and watching birds here. There are also several restaurants where families can have a meal.
A special path called the "Carretera de les Aigües" (Water Road) runs along the top of the mountains. It has been made much better for cyclists. The city of Barcelona even plans to make it part of a cycling track that goes all the way around the city.
