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Mallos de Riglos


Mallos de Riglos
Photo Information
Copyright: Mirari Mirarer (mirarer) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 335 W: 0 N: 235] (2047)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-01-04
Categories: Nature
Camera: Nikon D70 S
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/800 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-01-22 9:56
Viewed: 422
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [Spanish]
40 kilometres northeast of Huesca in the lowland area before the Pyrenees, there is a small town called Riglos, which has a series of impressive rocks or “Mallos”, formed by large cliffs and conglomerate rocks.

It is a formation of detrital sediments dating from the Miocene period; an area of large semi-circular silt deposits which moved from the mountains down towards the Ebro river valley. Nowadays, the deposits have been moulded by erosion and we can see residual headlands next to the oldest materials in the mountain range. This kind of formation is common in this area of the Pyrenees; in Riglos and a little farther to the west in Agüero, is where we can find the most spectacular examples of this type.

The word “mallos” is Aragonese and comes from the Latin “malleus” (bundle). It is used to describe large vertical rock formations found next to the side of a mountain.

The rocks at Riglos are tall and slim (more than 200 metres high) and are topped by dome shaped summits which reach an altitude of more than 900 metres above sea level.

According to legend, in the dark ages the Mallos were inhabited by evil beings who protected the rocks and their privileged views of the surrounding landscape. For a short time Riglos was known as the Kingdom of Los Mallos when King Pedro I left these lands to his wife Doña Berta Cruz, as this was the only landscape that could compare to her beauty. Shortly afterwards, the warrior King Alfonso I regained the territory for the Kingdom of Aragón.

Another famous legend surrounding the rocks is that of Pedro el Saltamontes (the grasshopper), who bet his neighbours that he could jump from El Pisón, the highest rock, without being injured. His only condition was that the spectators should stand back from the scene in order to get a better view of the fall. As soon as he jumped, he ran off with his wife and the money from the bet and was never heard of again.

Los Mallos also attract many mountain climbers thanks to their unusually vertical walls. There are almost 170 different climbing routes in areas known as El Fire, El Circo de Verano, El Pisón, El Puro, El Macizo de Pisón, Los Volaos, El Cuchillo, El Melchor Frechín, La Visera, los Mallos Pequeños and los Boulders de Riglos. The 300 metre high red stone walls are known to climbers all over the world.

Tawny vultures are the other rulers of this rocky area, together with Egyptian vultures with their unmistakable white plumage. There are also royal eagles, members of the crow family and the osprey, which is in danger of extinction but loves this land. The lowland areas of the Pyrenees and these rock formations provide the perfect refuge for these birds of prey, on the edge of the Ebro river valley.

http://www.caiaragon.com/en/actividades/index.asp?idAct=27&idSeccion=1&idTipo=51&idloc=4
GUYOFF, ktanska, burzum has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Truja: cielo originalmirarer 1 01-24 13:34
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Mirari!

This is a great shot! Excellent composition and colorful rocks with a nice blue sky. Great choice of using the plants at the front. Sharp details as well.

Great work, and thanks for sharing!
Peter

Ola,

Really beautiful picture, the sky is fantastic and the rock too....

Gracias

  • Great 
  • Truja Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 676 W: 95 N: 1459] (4934)
  • [2008-01-23 14:15]
  • [+]

Bona nit Mirari, de esta fotografía me agrada mucho la perspectiva desde la que tomaste la imagen, da velocidad a los mallos ( que, por cierto, acabo de descubrir gracias a tu excelente nota), hace que la vista sea más trepidante. Tiene que ser una pasada hacer unas vías de escalada por ahí ;-)
Los colores están geniales y la definición de la imagen es muy buena.¿ El color del cielo es el original Mirari? o lo cambiaste ? Sea como sea te felicito, me has descubierto un nuevo lugar que visitar y espero que sin buitres leonados ;-)

Un saludo, Jordi

Hi Mirari,
Impressive red cliffs on very dry looking landscape. Upwards angle is quite efficient. There seems to be some bird high up in the sky. I wish it was closer.
Kari

hello Mirari,
the first thing i noticed in your photo was the wonderful effective composition and after that the impressive rocks as well as the punchy colors ;)
regards,
kostas

  • Great 
  • Angshu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4792 W: 166 N: 7340] (23874)
  • [2008-01-27 21:08]

Hello Mirari
These natural rock formations look very similar to man made fortifications, possibly builders had taken inspiration from these stuctures. A fine image with the cacti in the FG & the blue sky topping. A good informative note as well. Good work!
Regards
Angshu

Hola
Me gusta esta foto de los mallos por su punto de vista inhabitual: contrapicado teniendo como primer plano esas pitas que desorientan en cuanto a la localización geográfica,pues parecen situarnos en latitudes mas bajas..Bonito color del cielo y composición, aunque los mallos pierden algo de majestuosidad con la perspectiva.
Saludos,
Antonio

Hi Mirari,

Beatiful shot, I like the POV and the details you have captured, the contrast between the cacti and rocks are well balanced. TFS

Fara

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