Selas: Stone Architecture, the Río Mesa and the Molina-Alto Tajo Geopark

Selas preserves traditional stone architecture whose buildings are adapted to the harsh climate of the high plateau. For a clear overview, you can consider architectural details, ecclesiastical history, geology, nature and routes separately, and then combine them according to your own travel interests.

Townscape and Culture

Selas has several stone manor houses from the Molina area: their corners feature ashlar masonry, and wedge stones are set above the portals. The Iglesia Parroquial de la Virgen de la Minerva in Selas dates from the mid-16th century; its main altar contains a Baroque altarpiece. Selas's August festivities include the celebrations of San Roque. If you would like to structure the cultural aspects of your trip more precisely, you can consider historic architectural forms, religious art and the festival calendar as three separate themes.

Geography

Selas is located in the area of the Molina-Alto Tajo UNESCO Global Geopark. The Río Mesa valley begins at the source of the Mesa River in the municipality of Selas in Guadalajara. Selas lies on the slope of the valley, which runs towards Anquela, where the Río Mesa rises. The surroundings of the municipality of Selas are characterised by extensive limestone high plateaus and juniper vegetation. The sequence of source, valley slope and high plateau reveals different spatial relationships without requiring you to focus on just one landscape perspective.

Nature on the Río Mesa

The Río Mesa valley is cut into sedimentary formations from the Triassic, Jurassic and Tertiary periods; its steep slopes reveal a variety of stratigraphic details. It runs through narrow gorges and fertile floodplains to the municipality of Carenas. Griffon vultures nest on the rocky heights around the valley. Juniper forest and scrubland dominate the mountains around the valley; stands of holm oak lie between them. Anyone wishing to organise the nature themes for their trip can set gorges, floodplains, rocky areas and vegetation alongside one another as different motifs. The landscape can thereby be distinguished through its rock, relief, watercourse and vegetation.

Routes and Getting There

Georoute No. 11 of the Geoparque Comarca de Molina – Alto Tajo runs through the Río Mesa valley. Selas's location allows it to be incorporated into a cultural and natural route through the Señorío de Molina. Selas can be reached via the A-2; at exit 135 near Alcolea del Pinar, follow the N-211 towards Molina de Aragón.

When comparing holiday apartments in Selas, you can compare travel dates, room or accommodation category and cancellation conditions on the respective offer pages. Check all three details for the period you are actually planning and read the conditions for the room or accommodation category specified in each case.

Other Places

Other places: El Cubillo De Uceda, Sacedón, Matillas, Arbancón, Bustares, Budia, Campillo De Dueñas, El Pobo De Dueñas

For the higher-level travel overview: Guadalajara.