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Inaugurated in Sierras Subbéticas (Spain) the first mycological garden of EuropeInaugurated in Sierras Subbéticas (Spain) the first mycological garden of Europe
Andalusia represents one of the regions with highest mycological diversity of Europe. The Kingdom of Fungi has always attracted man: the beauty and great variety of shapes and colours, their fine and special flavour among all foods in nature, the mystery of their lethal toxins, their fundamental medical applications, or their essential role in recycling organic matter, representing a transition world between rocks and complex life.
Aware of the importance of fungi and the great potential of local development they offer, the Andalusian Regional Government of Environment develops since 2001 a Plan for Conservation and Sustainable Use of Mushrooms and Truffles in Andalucía (CUSSTA).
In this direction, a Mycological Garden (and the Andalusian Centre of Mycology) has been projected, representing the first of its kind in Europe.
For its location, a rural area rich in natural resources has been chosen: Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park and Geopark.
Situated in the small village of Zagrilla, in the heart of La Subbética district, an innovative centre focused to Mycology, “La Trufa” (The Truffle), has been opened to the public in January 2011.
“La Trufa”, with more than 14,000 m2, consists of two main areas
1. Mycological Garden:
This is an open air museum, the Mycological Garden proper, where some of the most representative ecosystems of Andalusia have been recreated. In each of them, the most common mushrooms and truffles have been cultivated. In this area it is evidenced the importance of the nature of geological substrate in the above developing life.
2. Andalusian Centre of Mycology:
- Public Use Module:
- Exhibition Rooms, with magnificent interactive interpretation
- Microclimatic room of living mushrooms
- Audio-visual room, for 150 people
- Laboratory for environmental education activities.
- Technical Module:
- Library and meeting room
- Mycological Herbarium
- Production Module:
- In this area different substrates (soil, trunks, leaves, excrements, etc.) are inoculated and the resulting fungi are used to supply the microclimatic room and the Mycological Garden with living mushrooms.
The Mycological Garden supposes an additional and marvellous incentive to visit Sierras Subbeticas Natural Park and Geopark. It is expected that this will increase the number of visitors in the whole district and in Córdoba province. It will contribute to promote knowledge of mycology, enhance mycological activities and mycotourism, develop environmental education and contribute to conservation of andalusian mycological resources.
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