Ambas Aguas
Muro de Aguas, La Rioja, Spain
Ambas Aguas (Ambasaguas; Ambas-Aguas; Ambas Aguas II; Ambasaguas 1), Muro de Aguas, La Rioja, España
Key Information
Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.
Ambas Aguas, in Muro de Aguas, La Rioja, Spain, is known for its pyrite quarries, popular among mineral enthusiasts.
The area features Cretaceous sedimentary layers, with pyrite formed by hydrothermal fluids, offering unique crystal forms.
Mining has been active for over 100 years, mainly for collection, with licenses from the 1990s, and is still accessible with owner payment.
The local culture centers on agriculture, with Muro de Aguas famous for its 16-spout water source, and Ambas Aguas nearly abandoned.
The climate is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild winters, supporting typical Mediterranean flora and fauna.
Geographic Location
Ambas Aguas is a small, almost abandoned village located about 6.6 km from Muro de Aguas in the southern part of La Rioja, northern Spain. La Rioja is bordered by the Basque Country, Navarre, Aragón, and Castile and León. Nearby towns include Arnedo, Préjano, Villarroya, Cornago, San Pedro Manrique, and Enciso, with the Peñalmonte Mountains and Isasa Crag (1,456 meters) adding to the region's scenic beauty.
Minerals and Geological Structure
The area is renowned for pyrite, found in various forms like cubes, pentagondodecahedra, and "pine cone" clusters, alongside gypsum, quartz, chloritoid, cookeite, chlorite group, and limonite. These minerals are embedded in Cretaceous sedimentary layers (Urbión Group, 145–113 million years ago), affected by hydrothermal fluids, with pyrite forming in lutitic levels near sandstone layers.
Mining History and Access
Mining at Ambas Aguas has been known for over a century, primarily for collecting and decorating, with licenses issued in 1994 and 1996. It's not large-scale but remains accessible for enthusiasts, requiring payment to the owner for collection.
Local Culture and Climate
Muro de Aguas is famous for its 16-spout water source, a local attraction, and its economy relies on agriculture, including grains, potatoes, grapes, and olives. Ambas Aguas, with a population of just 4 in 2017, is nearly abandoned. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild winters, supporting typical Mediterranean ecology.