Sierra de la Virgen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sierra de la Virgen |
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Sierra de la Virgen rising behind Sestrica
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Highest point | |
Peak | Cabrera |
Elevation | 1,433 m (4,701 ft) |
Listing | List of mountains in Aragon |
Geography | |
Location | Aranda Comarca &Comunidad de Calatayud (Aragon) |
Parent range | Sistema Ibérico |
Geology | |
Orogeny | Alpine orogeny |
Age of rock | Cambrian |
Type of rock | Slate and Quartzite |
Climbing | |
First ascent | Unknown |
Easiest route | Drive from Villarroya de la Sierra, Viver de la Sierra, Gotor or Jarque |
The Sierra de la Virgen is a mountain range in Aragon, Spain. It is found in the Aranda and Comunidad de Calatayud areas. This mountain range sits south of the Moncayo Massif. It lies between the valleys of the Jalón and Aranda rivers. You can find it north of the N-234 road, near the towns of Calatayud and Torrelapaja.
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Exploring the Mountains

The Sierra de la Virgen mountains stretch from northwest to southeast. The highest point is a peak called Cabrera, which is 1,433 meters (about 4,700 feet) tall.
Other important peaks in this range include:
- Virgen de la Sierra (1,413 meters)
- Cucuta (1,300 meters)
- San Cristóbal (1,264 meters)
- Pico de Morés (1,186 meters)
- Monte de la Lezna (1,173 meters)
Right next to the Sierra de la Virgen, to its east, is another mountain chain called Sierra de Vicort. It runs in the same direction.
Why the Name "Sierra de la Virgen"?
The name "Sierra de la Virgen" means "Mountain Range of the Virgin." It comes from a special place called the Santuario de la Virgen de la Sierra. This is a shrine dedicated to Virgin Mary. It is located high up in the mountains. The shrine is about 22 kilometers (about 14 miles) north of the town of Villarroya de la Sierra.
Plants and Nature
These mountains are mostly covered with low maquis shrub. This is a type of dense, thorny bushland. Since the 1900s, many pine trees have been planted here.
The Sierra de la Virgen often experiences wildfires. This happens especially when there hasn't been much rain for a long time. Some of the native trees you can find here include juniper and Carrasca. Carrasca is a type of oak tree, also known as Quercus ilex.
Other "Sierra de la Virgen" Mountains
Did you know there are other smaller mountain chains in Spain with the same name?
- One is in Ciudad Real Province. It is part of the Montes de Toledo mountain system.
- Another one is in Córdoba Province, located in the region of Andalusia.
See also
- Mountains of Aragon
- Aranda Comarca
- In Spanish: Sierra de la Virgen (Sistema Ibérico) para niños