The Ciudad Encantada, known in English as the “Enchanted City,” is a geological wonderland, filled with odd-shaped rock formations that resemble various animals and figures. Wander around the open-air site and marvel at the curious formations, which have been shaped by the elements over millennia.
The roots of the Enchanted City can be traced back some 90 million years, when this area was covered by sea. When the water retreated, the limestone surface was exposed and subject to thousands of years’ worth of erosion from water, wind and ice. Examine the weird and wondrous stone shapes that remain standing.
Allow yourself at least an hour to properly explore the site, which is encircled by pine woods. Follow the signposted path around the rocks and look for signs indicating individual formation names. These names often reference the animal, human figure or structure that each particular stone resembles. Among the most identifiable formations are the Seal, the Bears, the Roman Bridge, the Mushroom, the Boats and the Dogs. Bring along a camera to snap photos of yourself and your traveling companions with the fantastical formations.
Note the different colors evident in the formations. The magnesian limestone, usually found at the top of the stone formations, is less susceptible to erosion and is usually grayer in color. The redder rock, typically found lower down nearer the ground, tends to wear away more quickly. See how the differing rock compositions cause some formations to have overhangs.
Find Ciudad Encantada near the town of Valdecabras in the Serranía de Cuenca Nature Reserve. The site is open daily from morning until sunset and there is an entrance fee. Driving from Cuenca will take around 30 minutes. To see the park at its quietest and most peaceful, arrange your visit for a weekday. Many visitors come as part of a daytrip from Madrid, riding the train from the capital to UNESCO-listed Cuenca before taking a taxi out to the site.
