Tobaceous building of Aguaspeña

The tuffaceous building of «La Aguaspeña» It is one of the many tuff formations that we can observe around the Tagus River, it is one of the most recently formed rocks that we can find. In this formation we can appreciate in enormous detail the precipitation process of the limestone rock.

The proliferation of mosses and other plants at the outlet of a spring of clean water with a high content of carbonate in solution, causes the precipitation of this on its surface, forming a coating that ends up suffocating them, they are forced to develop again Above the newly formed sheet of carbonate, the carbon dioxide that they exhale in their respiration decreases the acidity of the water, facilitating the precipitation of a new film of calcium carbonate around it. The uninterrupted repetition of this process has generated a great block of limestone rock that continues to grow today as can be seen in the area on the right, where the water flows and the moss with a fine calcareous coating can be seen.

The lateral growth of the travertine gives rise to the formation of visors that destabilize the block, causing it to collapse, which can be seen on the left side of the formation. The growth of these travertines requires very clean water, which is why sources and water catchments used by man since time immemorial are usually found in these places.

How to get: Stop number 5 of the Georoute nº8 of the Alto Tajo Natural Park, located on the paved track that leaves Czech heading south, approximately one kilometer from the town.

Observations: The elements of this formation are enormously sensitive and are protected by the regulations of the Alto Tajo Natural Park. The formation is equipped with walkways and handholds, designed to visit and observe this enclave without affecting its conservation. Please do not leave the walkway.