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The Source of the Genal (Natural Monument in the Province)

Diputación de Málaga
Nacimiento del río Genal, Igualeja (Rincón Singular)

The Source of the Genal (Natural Monument in the Province)

Rules - Decreto 383/2011, 30 dic. Junta de Andalucía
Natural Area > Natural Monument

The Source of the River Genal Natural Monument is a natural outcrop of the Sierra Blanca, where pure water emerges from the inside of a stunning hole. The Guadiaro's tributary divides in two parts the streets and fields in the village Igualeja. This beautiful white village is placed at the source of the river Genal in the Serranía de Ronda and close to the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park. The maze of steep streets and houses reaches the cliffs of the outcrop, which is placed at the top of the village next to a leisure area.

The river flows through this dramatc scenery full of plants, waterfalls and light. When the weather is rainy, and the water level is higher, there is a phenomenon that local people refer to as 'the gushing of the source', and it consists of a strong impressive burst of water, which is why some geologists call these river sources 'spring-siphons'.

Actually, there is hardly any flat surface on this cracked land with chestnuts and olive groves, . All mountainsides come to the Genal riverbed, full of water force which is slightly controlled by some orchards and gardens that form part of the landscape. Riverside is shaded by the plants such as white poplars, elm and ash trees, willows, with oleanders, osiers, tamarisks, reeds, barberries and laurustinus.

In the 1960s, several dams were built past the mill and next to the river source, which is why it was possible to stock it with trouts. There are many legends related to the village of Igualeja as three famous bandits were born there: El Zamarra, El Zamarrilla and Flores Arrocha.

 

Natural Monuments: Meaning


Natural Monuments are places or parts of nature which are considered to be significantly unique, rare or beautiful, and therefore are to be protected.


Natural monuments can also be geological formations, palaeontological sites and other geological structures that are of special interest for science, culture or landscape. They can be geological, biotic, geographical, eco-cultural and mixed according to the criteria presented in Article 4 of the Government Decree 225/1999 with regulations regarding the arrangement and management of each of them.


The Council of the Regional Government of Andalusia has authority to establish certain spot or part of nature as a Natural Monument.

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