About this place
La Fuentona is one of six natural monuments recognized in the region of Castile and León, straddling the border between the municipalities of Cabrejas del Pinar and Muriel de la Fuente in the province of Soria. The protected area covers 232 hectares of landscape shaped over millennia by karstic processes and the steady emergence of underground water.
What is the "Ojo de La Fuentona"?
At the heart of the monument lies a spring known as Ojo de La Fuentona, the "Eye of La Fuentona" — the point where water rises from one of the deepest and most remarkable aquifers on the Iberian Peninsula, the Sierra de Cabrejas aquifer. This spring is the birthplace of the Abión River, which carves a narrow, scenic canyon right from its very first stretch.
How did this landscape form?
The terrain is built from Cretaceous and Neocretaceous materials with a carbonate composition, formed in a clearly marine sedimentary environment. As a result, fossil shells are abundant throughout the rock surrounding the spring. The entire formation rests on karstic relief, and it is precisely these karstic processes that gave rise to the underground reservoir feeding the Ojo de La Fuentona.
What plant and animal life can be found here?
The dominant species in the landscape is the sabina albar, a juniper of considerable rarity and botanical importance, typical of the highlands around Soria. Along the canyon carved by the Abión River, a distinct riverside vegetation develops, creating a microclimate noticeably different from the drier surrounding terrain. This variety of habitats also supports a rich fauna tied to both the aquatic and rocky environments of the gorge.
When and why was the area protected?
The site's exceptional geological, hydrological and botanical values led to its designation as a Natural Monument in November 1998. Since then, La Fuentona has stood as one of six natural monuments officially recognized across the autonomous community of Castile and León, underlining its significance among the region's protected sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is La Fuentona located? The Monumento Natural La Fuentona lies across the municipalities of Cabrejas del Pinar and Muriel de la Fuente, in the province of Soria, Castile and León.
Which river originates here? The Abión River rises from the Ojo de La Fuentona spring and immediately forms a deep, narrow canyon.
Why is the water here so distinctive? The spring is fed by one of the deepest and most notable aquifers on the Iberian Peninsula, the Sierra de Cabrejas aquifer, shaped within karstic rock.
What vegetation stands out in this area? The sabina albar, a rare and botanically significant juniper, is the defining species, growing alongside lush riverside vegetation along the canyon.
Since when has the area been protected? It was declared a Natural Monument in November 1998 and is now one of six such sites in Castile and León.
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