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OlotVOLCANOES Around the town of Olot and Santa Pau in the area known as La Garrotxa there is the mos important volcanic zone in Europe visited by geologists from all over the world. The Croscat is the highest volcano, 185 meters, and Santa Margarida is the largest with  a perimeter of 2 kilometers. In the center of the flat valley formed by the crater there is the hermitage of Santa Margarida de la Cot of romanic orgien. The volcanic zone of La Garrotxa has been declared a Natural Park.BEECH WOOD In the distric of Santa Pau, beside the road to Olot, there is the largest beech wood in Catalunya, La Fageda d'en Jordà, and the only one growing out of volcanic soil where slabs of lava are still visible. This stony suboil which is difficult to cultivate is the reason that this beech forest has been left to grow untouched throughout the centuries and is one of the few natrual forests that are left on this plain among the lower mountains of Catalunya. These beeches shelter a large number of plants and birds within an area which has been the inspiration of poets and painters and has aaroused the interest of scientists for these woodlands which are comparable with the best of Frances, Germany and Austria. La Fageda d'en Jordà is officially portected as a Natural Park. Distance from BEUDA: 18 km. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
