HUERTA OTEA BOTANICAL PARK

The Huerta Otea estate belonged to Don Agustín Maldonado y Carvajal, Marquis of Castellanos and Monroy, whose summer palace was located in Tejares, where the Road Education Center stands today. After his death, the property passed into the hands of his nephew, the Count of Monterrón, and in 1942 it was sold to its tenant, Don Valentín Carrasco Cano. This hardworking and enterprising mountain farmer managed to obtain from these lands some of the earliest and most abundant harvests on the market, achieving great prestige in Salamanca.

Over time, the Salamanca City Council acquired the estate with the intention of transforming it into a botanical park. Construction of the new space began in 2000, with the aim of recovering for public use a riverside area that was then highly degraded. The park was inaugurated in 2004, but it did not become the large botanical garden that had initially been projected.

Located on the banks of the Tormes River, the renovation of Huert Otea Park is part of the major environmental project Tormes+, whose objective is to enhance the natural heritage of the river and its surroundings. This renovation has turned it into one of the city's most prominent green and leisure areas. The work has allowed this space to be recovered as a benchmark not only in biodiversity, but also in energy efficiency, sustainability, and environmental education.

Access and Surroundings The park has a parking area that facilitates arrival by car. It also has direct access to the bike path, making it an ideal destination for those traveling by bicycle. Next to the park, there is a small helipad used by 112 helicopters.

Upon crossing the entrance, the atmosphere changes completely: urban noise fades, and a spacious, bright, and surprisingly tranquil area appears. Along the route, benches invite visitors to stop, read, or simply enjoy the silence.

On both sides of the paths, landscaped areas extend with over 60 plant species. Many come from different parts of the province of Salamanca, while others originate from various regions of the world, turning the park into a small open-air botanical laboratory.

• Mediterranean vegetation: holm oaks, rosemary, rockroses, and other drought-resistant species, representative of the typical landscape of Castilla y León.
• Atlantic vegetation: oaks, ferns, and hazelnut trees that require higher humidity, creating a cool and shady environment.
• Riparian vegetation: poplars, willows, and alders typical of the Tormes riverbanks, forming green corridors characteristic of the rivers of Salamanca.
• Urban vegetation: plane trees, linden trees, maples, and other common species in streets and parks, which help understand their role in urban well-being.

Energy Classroom In this area, explanatory panels introduce visitors to the world of renewable energies, their operation, and their environmental benefits.

Greenhouse Completing this botanical complex is the greenhouse, equipped with a modern climate control system – shading screens, automated temperature and humidity control, and a connection to the Environmental Classroom's biomass boiler – which guarantees a sustainable and efficient environment to protect the orange tree collection throughout the year.

Zen Garden Next to the greenhouse is the Zen garden, a space of calm inspired by Japanese aesthetics: raked gravel, carefully arranged stones, and simple-statured plants. It is a perfect corner to read, meditate, or simply rest.

Aromatic Spiral Very close by is the spiral of aromatic plants, designed in an ascending shape so that each species receives the light and humidity it needs. As you walk past it, the air is imbued with the aromas of rosemary, lavender, thyme, or sage.

Floral Arches The path continues to the floral arches, structures covered by climbing plants that transform their appearance with the changing seasons. In this section of the route, a wisteria-covered pergola stands out, which in spring fills with hanging clusters of violet color. Around it, the paths are adorned with rose bushes, bignonias, honeysuckles, passionflowers, and false jasmine, which in spring and summer offer an explosion of flowers and aromas. It is, without a doubt, one of the most photogenic spots in the park.

Temporary pond: a small wetland that only retains water at certain times of the year. It is essential for the reproduction of amphibians and other small animals.

Permanent pond: located after passing under the University bridge. Larger and more stable, it hosts waterfowl, dragonflies, and vegetation adapted to constant water.

Plant Labyrinth One of the most striking spaces in the park. Its hedges form corridors and turns that invite play and getting lost within. It is a place designed for all ages and perfect for enjoying the surroundings in a playful way.

Maple School The Maple School is one of the most prominent spaces in the park. It gathers various species and hybrids of maples —native and allochthonous— which offer an especially beautiful chromatic spectacle in autumn.

The area is organized as a small botanical itinerary with identification signs. Among the most common species are the field maple, the sycamore, the Norway maple, the box elder, and the Japanese maple. It is an authentic outdoor classroom to learn to distinguish them and appreciate their differences. This space is especially attractive for photographers, botany lovers, and curious visitors who enjoy observing how the landscape changes throughout the year.

Park Fauna The work carried out in Huerta Otea also seeks to protect and promote awareness of the local fauna. Throughout the year, herons, ducks, fish, and insects inhabiting the banks of the Tormes can be observed. The murmur of the water and the singing of birds turn every walk into a sensory experience.

Nest boxes for different bird species and an insect hotel have been installed, designed to offer shelter and promote the reproduction of bees, ladybugs, butterflies, moths, beetles, and other pollinators.

Huerta Otea Surroundings Those wishing to extend their visit can continue southwest until reaching the Tejares–Huerta Otea pedestrian and cycle bridge, which leads to the urban gardens. It is also possible to follow the river path to the water wheel. It is a perfect route to enjoy with pets and discover how nature and the city coexist in balance.

Several sculptures have been placed along the route, enlivening the park stroll:

• The sculpture dedicated to Motherhood, by Marino Amaya, depicting a mother playing with her 5 children.

• The work To Love Without a Beat, by Jesús García Trapiello, grandfather of a grandson who passed away during the management, located next to the park pond.