Sierra Carbonera

The Sierra Carbonera is a small range of mountains located in the Province of Cádiz in Spain, at the boundary between the municipalities of San Roque and La Línea de la Concepción, north of the Rock of Gibraltar. It rises to a maximum altitude of 311 metres (1,020 ft) at the summit of Carboneras, which is occupied by a radio communications installation.[1]

Sierra Carbonera
Sierra Carbonera viewed from the Calle Herrería in San Roque
Highest point
Elevation311 m (1,020 ft)
Geography
LocationProvince of Cádiz
CountrySpain

Description

The Sierra Carbonera is noted for its fine views over the region, stretching on a clear day as far as Ceuta and Tetouan in Morocco on the far side of the Strait of Gibraltar. A 16th century watchtower stood on its highest summit until 1967, when it was demolished. The watchtower was known locally as Sillón de la Reina (Queen's Chair), reflecting a legend that it was used by Eleanor of Guzman, the famous lover of King Alfonso XI of Castile (who lived, however, 200 years before the tower was built).[2]

The Sierra was originally covered with trees but these have been clear-cut, leaving the slopes denuded, due to large-scale logging for charcoal production. The name Carbonera reflects this former industry.[3]

References
  1. Censo de la población de España de 1981: Nomenclator de las ciudades, villas, lugares, aldeas y demás entidades de población. Instituto Nacional de Estadística. 1985.
  2. "La Torre de Sierra Carbonera". EuropaSur (in Spanish). 22 September 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  3. Tornay, Francisco (1981). La Línea de Gibraltar, 1730–1810: origen histórico militar de La Línea de la Concepción. Diputación Provincial de Cádiz. p. 22.
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