Monumento Natural de La Fortaleza, Archaeological site in Chipude, Spain
La Fortaleza is a natural rock plateau in La Gomera that rises 1,243 meters above sea level and forms a nearly flat surface with vertical rock walls. The platform extends over 300 meters in diameter and consists of volcanic trachyandesite exposed by erosion.
The original inhabitants used the rock before the Spanish conquest for defense and religious ceremonies, as evidenced by animal bones and stone structures. The site received protection status as a natural monument in 1987 due to its geological and biological features.
The name refers to its former use as a defensive point by the original inhabitants, whose traces remain visible today. Hikers passing the summit see terraces and wall remains that show how people shaped the rock as a refuge.
A narrow path leads up to the summit and requires sturdy footwear, as the route is steep and exposed in places. Hikers should not leave the marked trail to protect the rare plant species and ensure their own safety.
Limonium redivivum and Cheirolophus satarataënsis grow on the summit, two plant species found almost exclusively here. The volcanic dome formed millions of years ago and survived through its hardness while the surrounding rock weathered away.
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