Stone forest (Cerro del Hierro)

El Cerro del Hierro (The Iron Mountain) is a karst area near Sevilla (SW Spain) which was exploited for extraction of iron minerals since Roman times until the 1980s. It has been declared a natural monument for its geological and landscape value. The old mining town still exists, though with a very low population. The area is connected by rail with the port of Seville, where the ore was shipped. In this mine extracted iron bars that limit the facades of the Royal Tobacco Factory (University of Seville) or the structure of Isabel II Bridge (Puente de Triana) on the Guadalquivir were forged .
Limestone is formed by Cambrian seabed rich in ancient reefs and sponges. During karstification, iron oxides and hydroxides were formed. Dominant soil types are Chromic Luvisols.