Alto Guadiato Valley Starlight Destination

The Alto Guadiato Valley borders with Badajoz, to the west and has a surface area of 1,146 km2, which represents more than 8% of the territory of the province. The certification includes all six of its municipalities: Belmez, Peñarroya-Pueblonuevo, Fuente Obejuna,Valsequillo, La Granjuela and Los Blázquez, to which we should add 17 smaller populated areas. 

The region is occupied mainly by forests of oaks, cork oaks and gall oaks and has a high environmental, historical and cultural value. The towns in the area are also known for their long-standing mining tradition and for the presence of a number of archaeological sites and complexes. With regard to the fauna, it should be pointed out that there is an abundance of game animals, and it is an area very popular with the Iberian lynx as well as a have for animals favouring the steppes. 

The region also has a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA), an environmental conservation format promoted by the Natura 2000 Network. 

This area undoubtedly has extraordinary qualities for it to be certified as a Starlight Destination. The region is especially good for star-gazing because there is very little light pollution in the night sky, and it also has all the necessary infrastructure and equipment required for this activity: Accommodation, observation installations at the service of visitors, fully qualified personnel responsible for astronomical interpretation and it is an integral part of nocturnal nature. 

It should be pointed out that the village of Piconcillo, located in the municipality of Fuente Obejuna, has an Astronomical Society with an observatory named after Giordano Bruno, the renowned Italian astronomer, philosopher, theologian and poet.