The use of stone in traditional architecture represents one of the most relevant links between geological and cultural heritage. As a topic of general interest and easily understandable to all public, this link is a guiding thread for touristic routes mitigating the depopulation trend that affects large inland rural areas, including many areas in UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp). In the northwest of Spain, the Courel Mountains UGGp created the Palaeozoic Villages Route for touristic purposes in 2018, highlighting the relevance of local stones in traditional architecture as a key feature for sustainable development. For the design and creation of this route, seven villages were selected along six criteria: (1) the representativeness of the building stone with the bedrock of the UGGp, (2) the preserved traditional architecture, (3) their link with geoheritage, (4) the scenic beauty of their surroundings, (5) the potential combination with other touristic activities, and (6) the presence of local services. The Palaeozoic Villages Route exhibits four rock types/sections/structures spanning four Palaeozoic periods, as well as different uses for walling and roofing depending on the rock feature. Since 2018, the route experienced an increased revenue of 19% in the touristic sector to the traditional villages, while visitors used up to 61% of the local services of the UGGp for one or more days. In addition, the route reinforces the awareness of depopulation and abandonment of rural villages, fostering the purchase and/or restoration of dwellings as second regular residences in tranquil and scenic environments. In the short to medium term, these actions are expected to reverse or, at least, minimise the loss of population in the UGGp.

在传统建筑中使用石头代表了地质和文化遗产之间最相关的联系之一。作为一个普遍感兴趣且易于所有公众理解的话题，该链接是旅游路线的指导线索，以减轻影响大片内陆农村地区的人口减少趋势，包括联合国教科文组织世界地质公园 (UGGp) 的许多地区。在西班牙西北部，库雷尔山脉 UGGp 于 2018 年创建了用于旅游目的的古生代村庄路线，突出了当地石头在传统建筑中的相关性，作为可持续发展的一个关键特征。这条路线的设计和创建，根据六个标准选择了七个村庄：（1）建筑用石与UGGp的基岩的代表性，（2）保留的传统建筑，(3) 它们与地质遗产的联系，(4) 周围风景秀丽，(5) 与其他旅游活动的潜在结合，以及 (6) 当地服务的存在。古生代村庄路线展示了跨越四个古生代时期的四种岩石类型/剖面/结构，以及根据岩石特征不同的墙壁和屋顶用途。自 2018 年以来，这条路线在传统村庄的旅游部门的收入增长了 19%，而游客在一天或几天内使用了高达 61% 的 UGGp 当地服务。此外，该路线增强了对农村人口减少和废弃的意识，促进购买和/或修复住宅作为在宁静和风景优美的环境中作为第二常住居所。中短期来看，