PROPOSAL OF FOOTPATH INTO AN ECOLOGICAL A ND MONUMENTAL AREA - GASCO VALLEY, MADRID, SPAIN

Citation
J. Garciaguinea et al., PROPOSAL OF FOOTPATH INTO AN ECOLOGICAL A ND MONUMENTAL AREA - GASCO VALLEY, MADRID, SPAIN, REV CHIL HN, 70(4), 1997, pp. 491-505
Citations number
27
Journal title
Revista chilena de historia natural
ISSN journal
0716078X → ACNP
Volume
70
Issue
4
Year of publication
1997
Pages
491 - 505
Database
ISI
SICI code
0716-078X(1997)70:4<491:POFIAE>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
The ecosystem of the Gasco Valley and the historical monuments found t herein, the Roman bridge of Alconzorra (1st century AD), the bridge of Herreno (1557), the marble cutting watermill (circa 1550), the Gasco dam and the Guadarrama canal (1799) are described. The valley is at pr esent overgrown and the monuments have fallen into disrepair. In recen t years several modern eyesores have also been built encroaching on th e otherwise idyllic valley. Despite these problems, on the whole the G asco valley is in surprisingly good condition. Being only 30 km from M adrid it is a perfect site for both tourism and didactic trips. For th is reason, it should be preserved as an ecological, cultural and histo rical footpath in Mediterranean and Riverside flora environments. Seve ral possibilities for maintenance and restoration are proposed. This i nitiative could lead to a new Spanish policy for setting up footpaths which are typical of other densely populated areas of Europe.