ARCHIVED - Work begins to protect the Bolnuevo Erosions

Image 1; work begins

This week the regional government has initiated works to protect the Gredas de Bolnuevo, or Bolnuevo erosions as they’re often referred to, building a fence which will prevent visitors from climbing into the erosions themselves.

 

For years visitors have happily taken selfies in amongst these amazing natural sand sculptures, but last year the erosions were classified as a Natural Monument (“Monumento Natural único de la Región de Murcia”) and the damage suffered in March during torrential rains has highlighted not only the need to protect the sand formations, but also prevent the public being injured should any further lumps of rock become dislodged as occurred on the afternoon of March 24th this year.

Image2:Happy days before the recent damage occurred

On Monday the Director General of the Dept. of the Environment, which is footing the 47,500 euro bill for the 2 month long job, visited the site to check on progress.

 

A one metre high perimeter fence will be built around the monument and although the land is privately owned by British-based Bayshore Investments SL , the town hall will still be permitted to use the formation as the backdrop for summer concerts and events; each year there is a piano recital in front of the formations and this year, apparently, a flamenco recital will also be on offer.

 

The Gredas de Bolnuevo is the second protected natural area, after Mount Arabí, in Yecla, which has been listed in the category of Natural Monuments in the Region of Murcia, and is also listed as being a “Site of Geological Interest.”

 

The structure is the result of alveolar erosion and is of great ecological value as well as geological and paleontological importance. The Bolnuevo sedimentary rocks are just under 5 million years old and mark an important geological event in the formation of the region as the sea receded to create dry land. Abundant fossil remains can be seen in the area with diverse fossils of marine invertebrates, amongst which stand out bivalves, such as vertebrates of the sirenian type, rare marine mammals.

Image3, the large lump which fell off on March 24th.

But for most of us, it’s a great place to take the visitors, park the car and enjoy a drink in the bar alongside or walk across the road to the vast Mediterranean beach which runs along this stretch of coastline and just enjoy the view; it’s certainly a unique formation which will continue to draw visitors for many years to come.

 

Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest updates locally for the Region of Murcia and the main information for the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/.