Fonelas: P-1 Paleontological Center, Dolores church and caves

Fonelas allows you to discover a landscape of caves and historical heritage, in addition to the Fonelas P-1 Paleontological Center. To organize the outing, distinguish the walk through the town from the visit to the scientific station: the latter requires arranging entry and following specific access conditions.

Fonelas P-1: large mammals from two million years ago

The IGME-CSIC places Fonelas P-1 in the Fardes River Valley Paleontological Station, a research, dissemination and teaching facility. The site preserves a record of large mammals from approximately two million years ago.

The interest of the visit is in understanding the fossils, their geological context and the ecosystems of the past. The station also presents an informative geological route of 1 km within its property; Ask if it can be included in your visit and under what conditions.

Reservation, calendar and contact of the center

The information on general visits from the IGME indicates free entry and arranged visits. For groups of up to five people, ask at least two days in advance; for organized groups of more than five, at least one week.

The contact is 629 930 811 or epvrf@igme.es. Confirm date, shift, number of people and current conditions. The official calendar for October–December 2026 marks the enabled days, with opening from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and possible modifications. Check the dates and confirm the appointment before you go; Opening daily or every weekend is not guaranteed.

How to get to the station and what conditions it has

The IGME warns that some navigators propose inadequate roads or through private properties. First indicate the urban center of Fonelas and from there follow the signs towards the station. The address of the center is Camino del Barranco del Pocico s/n.

The center allows access for cars and minibuses; Buses must stay outside the property, in the indicated area. Official information indicates stairs and metal walkways that can make access difficult. This quarter’s calendar warns that the center lacks toilets and drinking water. Check these conditions when arranging your visit and bring the water you need.

Respect the instructions of the staff and the protection of the site: do not collect fossils or disturb the terrain. The IGME contemplates closures due to adverse weather. Reconfirm departure if weather may affect access.

Church of the Virgin of Sorrows

The Fonelas City Council identifies the church as Virgen de los Dolores. It describes a nave with Mudejar armor and a Renaissance doorway made in 1544 by Cristóbal Nuño.

You can include the surroundings of the temple in a walk through the town. To see the interior, check the opening and respect religious acts. It is not stated that there is a continuous tourist schedule.

Caves, San Torcuato and surrounding heritage

Municipal documentation describes cave dwellings with steep accesses, the San Torcuato complex in Face Retama, a megalithic necropolis and defensive remains such as the Castillo de Muros and the towers of Guajar, Pozico and Las Palomas.

They are heritage references to prepare the visit; They do not prove that all these places have public access, signage or opening. Ask for specific instructions before moving and respect private homes. The traditions about Saint Torquatus must be understood as such, without turning them into proven archaeological facts.

Organize a visit with planned return

Make an appointment with the paleontological center first and organize the walk through the center around that time. If you want to visit other resources, check their access and the additional time each one requires.

The City Council publishes the telephone number 958 679 002 and the email fonelas@dipgra.es. You can request local information and conditions of access to municipal resources.

If you travel by public transport, confirm the actual connection to Fonelas and back with the operator. A synchronized transfer from Guadix or public transport to the paleontological center is not guaranteed. To eat or stay, check services and availability directly.

Prepare water, sun protection and appropriate clothing for the weather; With mobility needs, check the slopes and accesses you are going to use. Leave room to arrive on time for the arranged visit.