Muro De Aguas – Torre Fuerte, Views and Nature

Muro de Aguas and Ambas Aguas are fully included in the official Valle del Alhama-Linares protected area. Torre Fuerte is the surviving part of a larger rectangular defensive complex dating from the 15th century. Two perpendicular walls made of sandstone masonry survive from Torre Fuerte, measuring 9 metres and 4.50 metres in height.

Other places: Grávalos, Laguna De Cameros, Cirueña, Arnedillo, San Vicente De La Sonsierra, Logroño, Hornos de Moncalvillo, Arrúbal.

Culture and History

On Cerro Testigo, Torre Fuerte offers sweeping panoramic views of Muro de Aguas. The ruins of Santa María are the remains of a 16th-century church built of dressed stone and rubble masonry; remains of an earlier fortress or of Torre Fuerte were probably reused during its construction. A ribbed vault with lunettes on consoles is still preserved in the ruins.

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is a late Baroque church built in Muro de Aguas in the 18th century. About one kilometre uphill from Muro de Aguas on the path to Ambas Aguas lie the ruins of the Ermita de San Millán, of which only the portal remains.

The Crucero is a wayside shrine with a square ground plan at the exit from the village towards Ambas Aguas. A sandstone Corinthian column stands on three polygonal steps and is topped by a presumably Romanist bronze crucifix. El rollo o picota is a stone column of the type erected at the entrance to places or their territories with full jurisdiction.

In Ambas Aguas, the Puente Medieval crosses the Arroyo Urradaña. It retains its original 2.45-metre-wide roadway made of river pebbles.

Water, Landscape and Views

The Fuente de los 16 caños is an 18th-century hydraulic structure that was rebuilt or renovated in 1902. It has 14 bronze fish-head spouts and two overflow outlets. It is fed by an aquifer created by the permeability of the region’s limestone.

Holm oaks, elm trees and pines grow in Muro de Aguas, along with shrubs such as rosemary, lavender and thyme. From the Mirador de El Cerrillo, Torre Fuerte can be seen on the northern hill above Muro de Aguas. From the Mirador de La Cruz del Palo, griffon vultures and buzzards can be observed flying over Muro de Aguas.

The Mirador del Castillo is located beside the ruins of the Iglesia de Santa María and a few metres from Torre Fuerte. From there, it offers a panorama of Muro de Aguas and the entire valley. Griffon vultures, buzzards and other birds of prey can be observed over Muro de Aguas all year round.

Paths, Fossils and Pyrite

A signposted hiking trail from Ezcaray passes through Ambas Aguas towards Cornago and Cervera del Río Alhama. A mountain-bike route starts in Muro de Aguas and runs via Ocijo, Navalsaz, the Cuesta de Andorra and Ambas Aguas before returning to Muro de Aguas. Another route leads from Muro de Aguas to Peña Isasa. The different activities and routes can therefore be considered separately when planning your day.

Muro de Aguas is not served by buses. The Chorrón del Saltadero dinosaur site is 2.5 kilometres from Muro de Aguas, on the irrigation path towards Cornago. The Perosancio dinosaur site is approximately 2.9 kilometres from Muro de Aguas, about 100 metres from the path to Ambas Aguas; it is difficult to access. Four individual, poorly preserved footprints attributed to iguanodontids are preserved there.

The Valdeté dinosaur site is five kilometres from Muro de Aguas, towards Ambas Aguas, at the municipal boundary with Préjano. It preserves footprints attributed to an injured ornithopod that left them behind.

The pyrite deposits near Ambas Aguas are known for their diverse crystal habits and crystal forms. These include oval and spherical forms created by the grouping of crystals. The Piritas de Ambas Aguas mine in Ambas Aguas offers guided visits during which visitors can dig up and expose pyrite specimens themselves.

Village Life and Regional Specialities

Muro de Aguas is part of an area where truffles are cultivated or harvested. Bonfires are lit in Muro de Aguas on the eve of San Antonio and San Juan. On Friday night into Saturday, young men traditionally place flowering branches on the balconies and windows of young women.

To the higher-level travel overview: La Rioja.